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Definition of impatience

impatience

/ɪmˈpeɪ.ʃəns/
im · pa · tience
Adverb:impatiently
•
Plural:impatiences
•
Adjective:impatient
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impatience Lexical Profile

impatience Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The tendency to be quickly irritated or provoked by delays, opposition, or obstacles; a lack of patience.

Example

"The commuters could barely conceal their impatience when the train was delayed for a second hour."

2

Restless eagerness or anxious desire for something to happen soon.

Example

"The children waited with growing impatience for the holiday festivities to begin."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for impatience
Antonyms
View all antonyms for impatience

• Rhymes for impatience

• Nearby Words

impassionedly
impassive
impassively
impatience
impatiens
impatient
impatiently

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French impacience, from Latin impatientia, derived from impatiens ('unable to endure or bear'), from in- ('not') + patiens, the present participle of pati ('to suffer, endure').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Impatience. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/impatience
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