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impatient

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˌɪmˈpeɪʃənt// UK //ɪmpˈeɪʃənt// im·pa·tient Archaic General-service

adj. feeling annoyed because you have to wait for something or someone. You might also feel this way when you want to finish a task quickly.

adj. showing a lack of patience or tolerance for delay, opposition, or errors. Often describes a restless desire for immediate action or results.


SIMPLE

The driver became impatient as he waited in the heavy traffic.

CONTEXTUAL

She grew increasingly impatient with the slow service at the restaurant and eventually asked for the manager.

COMPLEX

An impatient attitude toward long-term investments often leads to premature selling, as many individuals struggle to tolerate the natural volatility of the market.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Old French impacient (modern French impatient), from Latin impatiēns. By surface analysis, im- + patient.

Usage

Commonly followed by the preposition 'with' when referring to people or 'for' when referring to an event.

Pitfall

he is impatient of the bushe is impatient for the busWhen waiting for an object or event, use 'for'; 'of' is rare and usually restricted to formal literary contexts meaning 'intolerant of'.

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