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

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

My job is high-stress and fast-moving, and people can be impatient. —Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025

While Sammie is naive, impatient, and yearning for adulthood, Delta Slim is wise, heedless yeet unflappable, and the surprising steady voice when the juke joint descends into chaos. —Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 30 Dec. 2025

My job is high-stress and fast-moving, and people can be impatient. —Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 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