impatient
Impatient (adj) means not willing to wait calmly; easily irritated by delay. Example: “He grew impatient as the traffic crawled along.”
How to use impatient
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot able or willing to wait calmly.
Word forms
more impatient comparative, most impatient superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He grew _____ as the traffic crawled along.
Etymology
From Old French impacient, from Latin impatiens.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for impatient
See all rhymes for impatient →Frequently asked questions
What does “impatient” mean?
The word “impatient” means not willing to wait calmly; easily irritated by delay. In plain terms, not able or willing to wait calmly.
How do you pronounce “impatient”?
“Impatient” is pronounced ihm-PAY-shuhnt (/ɪmˈpeɪʃənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “impatient” in a sentence?
Here is “impatient” used in a sentence: “He grew impatient as the traffic crawled along.”
What part of speech is “impatient”?
“Impatient” is an adjective.
Where does the word “impatient” come from?
The word “impatient” comes from Latin. From Old French impacient, from Latin impatiens.
Is “impatient” a common word?
“Impatient” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “impatient” have?
“Impatient” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not willing to wait calmly; easily irritated by delay.
What is the difference between impatient and eager?
Impatient usually carries a negative sense of being unwilling to wait calmly and getting easily irritated by delay, while eager is a more positive sense of wanting something to happen soon out of enthusiasm. Impatient itself can also express this eager sense, so context decides whether it reads as irritation or excitement.
Is impatient always a negative trait?
Not necessarily. While impatient often describes someone easily irritated by waiting, it can also simply mean eager for something to happen, such as being impatient to start a new job. The tone depends on the surrounding sentence.
What preposition follows impatient?
Impatient is typically followed by 'with' when referring to a person or situation causing irritation, as in 'impatient with the delay,' and by 'for' or a to-infinitive when expressing eagerness, as in 'impatient for news' or 'impatient to leave.'