patient

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).

“Patient” is pronounced PEHY-shuhnt (/ˈpeɪ̯ʃənt/ in IPA).

Here is “patient” used in a sentence: “Please be patient — the doctor will see you shortly.”

Depending on how it is used, “patient” can be an adjective and a noun.

The word “patient” comes from Latin. From Latin patiens, present participle of patior, "to suffer or endure" — the same root as "patience.".

“Patient” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Patient” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: able to wait calmly without becoming annoyed or anxious.

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.

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.

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.

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.