Impatient
/ɪmˈpeɪʃənt/
Definitions
Showing or feeling a tendency to become quickly irritated or annoyed.
/ɪmˈpeɪʃənt/
Not patient; easily annoyed or irritated by delays or obstacles.
She was impatient for the results of the exam.
💡 Simply: Being impatient is like when you're waiting for your ice cream, and you want it NOW! You get a little grumpy because you don't want to wait!
👶 For kids: Feeling like you want something right away, and you don't want to wait.
More Examples
The children grew impatient during the long car ride.
He became impatient with the slow service at the restaurant.
How It's Used
"He became impatient while waiting for the bus."
"The investors grew impatient with the slow progress of the project."
Idioms & expressions
to be impatient to...
Eager or anxious to do something.
"I am impatient to hear your news."
impatient of
Not willing to tolerate something.
"The students grew impatient of the endless lectures."
From Middle English, from Old French impatient, from Latin impatiens ('impatient, intolerant'), from in- ('not') + patiens ('suffering, patient').
The word has been used since the 14th century, and it's origins are traceable in early latin texts.
Memory tip
Imagine a person tapping their foot and sighing loudly while waiting – that's impatient!