impatience

[im-pey-shuh ns]

See more synonyms for impatience on Thesaurus.com

noun

lack of patience.
eager desire for relief or change; restlessness.
intolerance of anything that thwarts, delays, or hinders.

Origin of impatience

1175–1225; Middle English impacience < Latin impatientia. See im-², patience

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for impatience

Contemporary Examples

American women expressed their support and impatience when fighting puritanism and conservatism using Femen tactics.
Femen's Topless Sextremists Invade the US
Lizzie Crocker
February 23, 2014
I called to her, but she slipped away with a tormenting smile at my helpless hands, and I followed her with some impatience.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show
Robert W. Chambers
February 20, 2014
I waited and waited, closing my eyes with fear and impatience, but all was silent as the grave.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show
Robert W. Chambers
February 20, 2014
Similarly, how little time Shostakovich spent on his work elucidates the fever and impatience of his mind.
What Do Great Artists’ Routines Reveal?
Alexander Aciman
May 9, 2013
It was characterized by apocalyptic and incendiary rhetoric, anger, impatience, and revolutionary zeal.
Good Luck With That, Peter Wehner
Michael Tomasky
January 25, 2013

Historical Examples

At length, carried away by impatience, I reprimanded him publicly.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
I am all impatience to hear how this astonishing change was effected.
Lady Susan
Jane Austen
The story was not yet finished; but George's impatience caused him to interrupt it.
Biographical Stories
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Again the Judge put the question, this time with some impatience.
The Underdog
F. Hopkinson Smith
It was a hot day—she walked fast from the hurry and impatience of her mind.
Tales And Novels, Volume 5 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth

British Dictionary definitions for impatience

impatience

noun

lack of patience; intolerance of or irritability with anything that impedes or delays
restless desire for change and excitement

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for impatience

n.

c.1200, from Old French impacience (Modern French impatience) and directly from Latin impatientia, from impatiens (see impatient).

impatience

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}impatience

Examples from the Web for impatience

Contemporary Examples

American women expressed their support and impatience when fighting puritanism and conservatism using Femen tactics.

I called to her, but she slipped away with a tormenting smile at my helpless hands, and I followed her with some impatience.

I waited and waited, closing my eyes with fear and impatience, but all was silent as the grave.

Similarly, how little time Shostakovich spent on his work elucidates the fever and impatience of his mind.

It was characterized by apocalyptic and incendiary rhetoric, anger, impatience, and revolutionary zeal.

Historical Examples

At length, carried away by impatience, I reprimanded him publicly.

I am all impatience to hear how this astonishing change was effected.

The story was not yet finished; but George's impatience caused him to interrupt it.

Again the Judge put the question, this time with some impatience.

It was a hot day—she walked fast from the hurry and impatience of her mind.

impatience

Word Origin and History for impatience

n.

Origin of impatience