ENGLISH
REFERENCE

impatience

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

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.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

Inherited from Middle English impacience, from Old French impacience (modern French impatience), from Latin impatientia. By surface analysis, im- + patience.

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