English Reference
Noun

impatience

n.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəns/ UK /ɪmpˈeɪʃəns/ im·pa·tience UK spelling impatiences

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.


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.


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.

This entry
Origin Latin impatientia
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated