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

“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

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

Leave a tiny bit of space to pop in seasonal annuals, like pansies in winter, primroses in spring, New Guinea impatiens for shady spots or diascias and nemesias for summer sun.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 6, 2019

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

From The New Yorker • Jul. 28, 2016

Abuela and Lolo plant new beds of impatiens to last for the winter.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina