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

The Russians, seeing other empires gain ground in northeast Asia, were impatient for their own influence in the Pacific. —Literary Hub, 14 Nov. 2025

Banks became my avatar through the second half of the show, walking around impatient and bored with everything as only Jonathan Banks can. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2025

But tribal leaders are growing impatient with the states and are seeking a greater role in shaping a final plan. —Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 12 Nov. 2025

Don Aaron, spokesperson for the department, said there was a traffic backup at the drop off zone, cars were honking and drivers were becoming impatient. —Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Nov. 2025

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