impatience
Americannoun
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lack of patience.
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eager desire for relief or change; restlessness.
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intolerance of anything that thwarts, delays, or hinders.
noun
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lack of patience; intolerance of or irritability with anything that impedes or delays
-
restless desire for change and excitement
Etymology
Origin of impatience
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English impacience, from Latin impatientia; see im- 2, patience
Explanation
Impatience is the tendency to be irritable or easily frustrated. A bus driver's impatience often results in her yelling, honking her horn, and gesturing angrily at other drivers. If you are easily annoyed or provoked, your impatience is showing. Impatience is also why you hate being late, or having to wait for something or someone. It comes from patience, the habit or trait of being able to wait calmly or even tolerate discomfort without complaining. The "opposite of" prefix im- tells you that impatience is the complete opposite.
Vocabulary lists containing impatience
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
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Selection Vocabulary 5, Unit 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Meta Platforms has become the poster child for Wall Street’s impatience with ever-increasing artificial-intelligence spending.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026
The two-day conference bypasses the United Nations climate talks and reflects a growing impatience with its failure to tackle fossil fuels, the main driver of global warming.
From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026
By then, de Gaulle was the undisputed leader of the provisional French government, though impatience with the limitations on his power led him to resign the following year.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026
In general, they always prefer early records because they’re filled with that youthful sort of impatience.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
Audrey shifted, her hands fluttering, trying to mask her impatience.
From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
