impatient

adjective

im·​pa·​tient (ˌ)im-ˈpā-shənt 

1

a

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

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

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

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

Speaking loudly over the horns of impatient drivers, several locals said in interviews that they were unbothered by the constant honking. —Erin Nolan, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024

The lineup was unveiled by Cannes Film Festival chief Thierry Fremaux and president Iris Knobloch on Thursday at the UGC Normandie theater in Paris, where impatient French and international film journalists gathered. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024

Nothing new there, despite being sued by two impatient ticketholders from her NYC show in December. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024

Develop Your Soft Skills The CTO needs to ruthlessly focus on product development with the right team and explain to non-technical founders how the product ties to the business model—without being abrasive or impatient. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

Bloomberg reported earlier this week that Nadella was growing impatient with Parakhin’s team, too. —Tom Warren, The Verge, 28 Mar. 2024

Faruk Fatih Özer stood in front of a passport control officer at Istanbul Airport, a line of impatient travelers queuing behind him. —Leif Wenar, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024

Before the show starts, impatient concert-goers doodle on the steamy glass walls with their fingers. —Lina Abascal, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024

Ways to attract seasonal birds, visits from familiar friends, nest box activity, wildflower viewing tips and a volunteering opportunity Spring seemed impatient this year. —Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024

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

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