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

• 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

Which means Facebook and Zuckerberg’s purchases were attempts to keep Facebook great in a marketplace that routinely and ruthlessly puts former greats out to pasture. Crucial about Zuckerberg’s keen eye for what’s ahead is that markets, stock markets in particular, are a bit impatient. —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

Advertisement Finally, graduating students are often impatient—for success, money, titles, work-life balance, and more. —Michael B. Horn, Time, 24 June 2025

Trump has also grown impatient with Zelensky, saying the Ukrainian president needs to do more to stop the war. —Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 15 June 2025

The hyper-competitive digital economy has made many advertisers and businesses increasingly impatient. —Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 3 June 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