patient
9 synonyms and 0 antonyms for patient, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Able to wait calmly without becoming annoyed or anxious.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use patient
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin patiens, present participle of patior, "to suffer or endure" — the same root as "patience."
Full origin of patient →Frequently asked questions
What does “patient” mean?
The word “patient” means able to wait calmly without becoming annoyed or anxious. In plain terms, either calmly willing to wait (adjective), or someone under medical care (noun).
How do you pronounce “patient”?
“Patient” is pronounced PEHY-shuhnt (/ˈpeɪ̯ʃənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “patient” in a sentence?
Here is “patient” used in a sentence: “Please be patient — the doctor will see you shortly.”
What part of speech is “patient”?
Depending on how it is used, “patient” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “patient” come from?
The word “patient” comes from Latin. From Latin patiens, present participle of patior, "to suffer or endure" — the same root as "patience.".
Is “patient” a common word?
“Patient” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “patient” have?
“Patient” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: able to wait calmly without becoming annoyed or anxious.
What is the difference between patient the adjective and patient the noun?
They share a spelling but not a meaning. As an adjective, 'patient' describes someone able to wait calmly without becoming annoyed, as in 'be patient.' As a noun, 'a patient' is a person receiving medical care. Context makes clear which is meant, since one describes a quality and the other names a person.
Can patience be learned?
Yes. Patience is widely regarded as a skill rather than a fixed trait. Techniques such as pausing before reacting, breathing slowly, reframing delays, and practising in small everyday situations all help build it over time. Like a muscle, patience tends to grow stronger the more deliberately you exercise it.
What is the opposite of patient?
The opposite is 'impatient,' meaning quickly irritated by waiting or delay. Related opposites include restless, hasty, and intolerant. Where a patient person stays calm and composed, an impatient one becomes frustrated or eager to rush ahead before the right moment has actually arrived.
What is the difference between patient and tolerant?
Patience is mainly about staying calm while waiting or enduring delay. Tolerance is about accepting people, views, or situations you may dislike or disagree with. The two often go together, since a tolerant person is frequently patient too, but one concerns time and the other concerns acceptance.