Definition

A substance given to people or animals to help them build immunity against a specific disease, often made from weakened or killed forms of the germ that causes the disease.

Example

The doctor recommended that everyone get the flu vaccine this year.

Conversation

Have you heard about the new vaccine for the flu this season?

Yeah, I read it’s supposed to be really effective.

I think getting the vaccine is a good idea to stay healthy.

Definitely! I’ll make sure to schedule my appointment soon.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Vaccine → It is derived from "vacca" (meaning cow) in Latin, referring to the use of cowpox virus in the first smallpox vaccine developed by Edward Jenner. The term reflects the origin of the vaccine from the cowpox virus used to immunize against smallpox.

Memory Tip

Think of the Latin word for cow, 'vacca', to remember that a vaccine originally comes from a cow-related virus used for immunization.

Visually Confused Words