impatiens

American  

[im-pey-shuhnz] / ɪmˈpeɪ ʃənz /

noun

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

Inflected Forms

noun

• 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

“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

I asked if I could plant a section, and soon I was coaxing marigolds and New Guinea impatiens from their cells and threading them through the holes toward the base of the dinosaur side.

From Washington Post • Apr. 11, 2018

Bougainvillea and hibiscus, canna lilies, four o’clocks, impatiens, zinnias.

From The New Yorker • Jul. 28, 2016

At length, Bono opined, “I don’t believe those impatiens will ever grow near the pine tree. What do you reckon?”

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson