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

As cameras clicked and flashbulbs popped and Rafael Devers held up his No.16 Giants jersey for the first time Tuesday afternoon, an impatient voice shouted from the wings. —Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 18 June 2025

Public charging also requires planning which may frustrate impatient or disorganized drivers. —Josh Max, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

Starbucks, where Garner was previously CIO, has been swamped with mobile orders, resulting in overwhelmed baristas and impatient customers. —Nina Ajemian, Fortune, 17 June 2025

However, Ryan got impatient and cut the drugs with fentanyl to stretch them, leading to an overdose from one of his customers. —Francesca Gariano, People.com, 14 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