impatient

adjective

im·​pa·​tient (ˌ)im-ˈpā-shənt 

1

a

: not patient : restless or short of temper especially under irritation, delay, or opposition

grew impatient waiting for their friends

b

: intolerant sense 1

impatient of delay

2

: prompted or marked by impatience

an impatient reply

3

: eagerly desirous : anxious

impatient to get home

impatiently adverb

Synonyms of impatient

• excited
• enthusiastic
• avid
• eager
• anxious
• hungry
• ardent

Examples of impatient in a Sentence

After months of delays, customers are becoming impatient.

Customers have grown impatient with the repeated delays.

“Aren't you ready yet?” “Don't be so impatient. There's no need to hurry.”

She was impatient to leave.

Recent Examples on the Web

After previously trading away their picks in the first two rounds, the Wild got a little impatient in Round 3, working a trade with the Los Angeles Kings to move up six spots. — Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 June 2026

Partners and close friends could be more outspoken, impatient or argumentative, forcing important issues to the forefront. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

Highly intelligent individuals are often perceived as impatient, but psychologists suggest this trait may actually be a manifestation of their sharp minds. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Tech stock traders can be an impatient bunch. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English impacient, from Anglo-French impacient, from Latin impatient-, impatiens, from in- + patient-, patiens patient

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for impatient

• inpatient
• outpatient
• patient

Kids Definition

impatient

adjective

im·​pa·​tient (ˈ)im-ˈpā-shənt 

1

: not patient

an impatient disposition

2

: showing or coming from impatience

an impatient answer

3

: restless and eager

impatient to get going

impatiently adverb