Word
impatience
Phoneticsim·pa·tience, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/
UK/ɪmpˈeɪʃəns/
Definition
n. a feeling of being annoyed because you want something to happen now and cannot wait. It is the opposite of being patient.
n. a state of being unable to wait for something to happen or to be ready. Often describes a negative emotional state characterized by a lack of tolerance for delays.
Examples
“His impatience made him lose his temper.”
“The manager's impatience with the slow-moving project led to several rushed decisions that later caused problems.”
“While some view the rapid pace of technological change as a blessing, others express deep-seated impatience with the constant need to upgrade and replace devices before they reach the end of their natural lifespan.”
Examples
simple
“His impatience made him lose his temper.”
contextual
“The manager's impatience with the slow-moving project led to several rushed decisions that later caused problems.”
complex
“While some view the rapid pace of technological change as a blessing, others express deep-seated impatience with the constant need to upgrade and replace devices before they reach the end of their natural lifespan.”
Real-World Examples
“The first is the impatience of the country for change – and that being told to wait will not be enough.” Etymology
Inherited from Middle English impacience, from Old French impacience (modern French impatience), from Latin impatientia. By surface analysis, im- + patience.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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