impatient

UK: /ɪmˈpeɪʃ^ənt/ US: /ɪmˈpeɪʃənt/ ,(im pā′shənt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

im•pa•tient /ɪmˈpeɪʃənt/   adj. 

1. of or relating to impatience:
   The impatient teacher demanded that we answer her questions immediately.
2. indicating lack of patience:
   an impatient answer.
3. eagerly desirous:
   [be + ~ + to + verb] was impatient to finish her dinner and go out and play.

im•pa•tient•ly, adv.: 

waited impatiently in the car.

See -pat-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

im•pa•tient  (im pā′shənt), adj. 

1. not patient;
   not accepting delay, opposition, pain, etc., with calm or patience.
2. indicating lack of patience:
   an impatient answer.
3. restless in desire or expectation;
   eagerly desirous.
4. Idioms impatient of, intolerant of:
   impatient of any interruptions.

• Latin impatient- (stem of impatiēns) not enduring, not tolerating. See im-², patient
• Middle English impacient 1350–1400

im•pa′tient•ly, adv. 
im•pa′tient•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. uneasy, unquiet.
• 1, 2. irritable, testy, fretful, violent, hot; curt, brusque, abrupt.
• 3. hasty, impetuous, precipitate, sudden.

Antonyms

• 1. calm.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

impatient / ɪmˈpeɪʃənt/ adjective

1. lacking patience; easily irritated at delay, opposition, etc
2. exhibiting lack of patience
3. (postpositive) followed by of: intolerant (of) or indignant (at): impatient of indecision
4. (postpositive) often followed by for: restlessly eager (for something or to do something)

imˈpatiently adverb