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

Last year, after Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg grew impatient with the company’s in-house progress, Meta tried to acquire South Korean chip startup FuriosaAI. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026

Frost Date Map For those impatient green thumbs among us, the Old Farmer’s Almanac just released a new Last Frost Date Map that shows whether the last spring frost this year is expected to be earlier, later, or about the same time as the long-term norm. —Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026

While being confronted with disruptive technological change and economic uncertainty, business leaders also face impatient shareholders and corporate directors demanding immediate results. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026

At some point his stride lengthens, brisk, impatient. —Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 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