impatient
ihm-PAY-shuhnt
Impatient (adj) means not willing to wait calmly; easily irritated by delay. Example: “He grew impatient as the traffic crawled along.”
adj
1
Not willing to wait calmly; easily irritated by delay.
"He grew impatient as the traffic crawled along."
"The impatient customer tapped her fingers on the counter while she waited."
"Don't be so impatient; the kettle needs another minute."
2
Eager for something to happen.
"She was impatient to open her exam results."
"The children were impatient for the holidays to begin."
"He was impatient to see the new house for himself."
How to use impatient
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot able or willing to wait calmly.
Common pairings
impatient to start
grow impatient
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more impatient
- Superlative
- most impatient
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
View more →Antonyms
Related words
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.'
