impatient

im·pa·tient

adj \(ˌ)im-ˈpā-shənt\

Definition of IMPATIENT

1

a : not patient : restless or short of temper especially under irritation, delay, or opposition b : intolerant 1 <impatient of delay>

2

: prompted or marked by impatience <an impatient reply>

3

: eagerly desirous : anxious <impatient to get home>

— im·pa·tient·ly adverb

Examples of IMPATIENT

1. After months of delays, customers are becoming impatient.
2. Customers have grown impatient with the repeated delays.
3. “Aren't you ready yet?” “Don't be so impatient. There's no need to hurry.”
4. She was impatient to leave.

Origin of IMPATIENT

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to IMPATIENT

Synonyms: agog, antsy, anxious, ardent, athirst, avid, crazy, desirous, enthused, enthusiastic, excited, geeked [slang], great, greedy, gung ho, hepped up, hopped-up, hot, hungry, eager, juiced, keen, nuts, pumped, raring, solicitous, stoked [slang], thirsty, voracious, wild

Antonyms: apathetic, indifferent, uneager, unenthusiastic

Related Words: engaged, interested; happy, hung up, obsessed; ambitious, appetent, covetous, craving, hankering, longing, pining; breathless, restive, restless; amenable, disposed, game, glad, inclined, ready, unreluctant, willing

Near Antonyms: casual, incurious, insouciant, nonchalant, unconcerned, uninterested; aloof, detached, disinterested; impassive, stolid; halfhearted, lackadaisical, languid, languorous, lukewarm, spiritless; averse, disinclined, hesitant, loath (also loth or loathe), reluctant, unwilling

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Rhymes with IMPATIENT

inpatient, outpatient