ENGLISH
REFERENCE

patience

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈpeɪʃəns// UK //pˈeɪʃəns// pa·tience General-service

n. the ability to stay calm and wait for a long time without getting angry. You use it when you are dealing with something slow or difficult.

n. the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.


SIMPLE

You need a lot of patience to teach young children.

CONTEXTUAL

The long queue at the post office tested her patience, but she remained calm and waited her turn.

COMPLEX

Developing mastery in any complex craft requires a rare combination of technical discipline and the quiet patience to endure years of repetitive practice.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From patience, a virtue name first used by Puritans in the sixteenth century.

Usage

Commonly paired with the verbs 'have', 'lose', or 'test'.

Pitfall

I don't have the patient for thisI don't have the patience for thisLearners often confuse the noun 'patience' with the adjective 'patient'.

Idioms5 entries

© 2026 English Reference