impatiens

American  

[im-pey-shuhnz] / ɪmˈpeɪ ʃənz /

noun

impatiens plural

1. any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Impatiens, of the balsam family, having irregular flowers in which the calyx and corolla are not clearly distinguishable and bearing fruit that bursts open to scatter the seeds.

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impatiens British  

/ ɪmˈpeɪʃɪˌɛnz /

noun

1. any balsaminaceous plant of the genus Impatiens, such as balsam, touch-me-not, busy Lizzie, and policeman's helmet

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• impatiens
  plural

Etymology

Origin of impatiens

1880–85; < New Latin, Latin impatiēns not enduring, not tolerating ( see impatient); alluding to the plant's quick release of seeds upon slight contact; compare the familiar name touch-me-not

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

impatiens

“Our founders, Evelyn and Bob Weidner, specialized in growing begonias, then fuchsias and impatiens and on from there. We’re a full-service nursery; we also sell fruit trees and vegetables. But our specialty is flowers.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 20, 2025

On the porch, Labik hung a basket overflowing with purple flowers, and filled planters with daisies, impatiens and begonias, and when July 4 came, she twirled sparklers.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 8, 2021

Some flowers bloom in shadow — impatiens, fuchsias — and maybe G. is asking for some shadow, for some benign neglect.

From New York Times ● Dec. 17, 2019

They included verbenas, begonias, marigolds, vincas, impatiens, lantanas, bidens, petunias and calibrachoas.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 11, 2018

She’s bought pansies and vinca and gazania, verbena, impatiens, and marigolds, and sacks of potting soil.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen