ENGLISH
REFERENCE

patient

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈpeɪʃənt// UK //pˈeɪʃənt// pa·tient Archaic General-service

adj. able to stay calm and wait for a long time without getting angry or upset. You use this to describe someone who can handle delays or difficult people quietly.

adj. able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious. Often modified by 'very' or 'extremely' and frequently followed by the preposition 'with'.


SIMPLE

You need to be patient while waiting for the bus.

CONTEXTUAL

The teacher was very patient with the students who were struggling to understand the new math concept.

COMPLEX

Developing a complex skill like playing the violin requires one to be patient, as progress is often measured in months of repetitive practice rather than sudden breakthroughs.

Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English pacient, from Middle French patient, from Old French pacient, from Latin patiens, present participle of patior (“to suffer, endure”), from Proto-Indo-European *peh₁- (“to hate, hurt”).

Usage

Typically follows a linking verb or precedes a noun; often takes the preposition 'with' when referring to people or 'about' when referring to situations.

© 2026 English Reference