# impatient

/ˌɪmˈpeɪʃənt/ (US) · /ɪmpˈeɪʃənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/impatient
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. annoyed by waiting

adjective · CEFR B1

feeling annoyed or irritable because you have to wait for something or someone.

For teachers: restless and intolerant of delays or opposition; easily provoked by the slow pace of others.

- The driver behind me became impatient and started honking his horn.
- The manager grew increasingly impatient with the technical team as the software launch was delayed for the third consecutive week.

Usage: Commonly followed by the prepositions 'with' (for people) or 'at' (for situations).

### 2. eager to start

adjective · CEFR B2

very excited and wanting to do something immediately.

For teachers: showing an eager or anxious desire for something to happen or to begin a task.

- The children were impatient to open their birthday presents.
- After months of theoretical training, the recruits were impatient to begin their first practical field exercises.

Usage: Often followed by an infinitive verb ('impatient to do') or the preposition 'for'.

## Examples

- The driver became impatient as he waited in the heavy traffic.
- She grew increasingly impatient with the slow service at the restaurant and eventually asked for the manager.
- An impatient attitude toward long-term investments often leads to premature selling, as many individuals struggle to tolerate the natural volatility of the market.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.