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

But now the anger is mounting as defiant Iranians grow increasingly weary and impatient. —Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026

Even Netflix got a little impatient with the situation, pressuring the Duffers to finish the thing already. —Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 12 Jan. 2026

Visibly impatient, the judge suggested that Maduro should respond with a simple yes or no. —Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026

As talent competition intensifies and employees grow impatient with illiquidity, mid-stage companies will use tenders as a core morale and retention lever. —Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 6 Jan. 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