Impatient — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /(ˌ)im-ˈpā-shənt/ im·pa·tient

Meaning & Definition of Impatient

Impatient (adjective)

  1. not patient, restless or short of temper especially under irritation, delay, or opposition
  2. intolerant
  3. prompted or marked by impatience

Impatient (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. showing urgent desire or interest

    "she was impatient to give her presentation before the landmark commission"

    similar: agog, antsy, anxious, ardent, athirst, avid, bonkers (informal), crazy, desirous, eager, enthused, enthusiastic, excited, gaga, geeked (slang), great, greedy, gung ho, hepped up, hopped-up, hot, hungry, juiced, keen, nuts, pumped, raring, solicitous, stoked (slang), thirsty, voracious, wild, champing at the bit, chomping at the bit
    related: engaged, interested, happy, hung up, obsessed, ambitious, appetent, covetous, craving, hankering, longing, pining, breathless, restive, restless, amenable, disposed, game, glad, inclined, ready, unreluctant, willing
    opposite: apathetic, indifferent, uneager, unenthusiastic
    near: casual, incurious, insouciant, nonchalant, unconcerned, uninterested, aloof, detached, disinterested, impassive, stolid, halfhearted, lackadaisical, languid, languorous, lukewarm, spiritless, averse, disinclined, hesitant, loath, reluctant, unwilling

  2. unable or unwilling to endure

    "those airline passengers who are so impatient of delays, even for the most obvious of reasons"

    similar: intolerant
    related: uncompromising, unforgiving, unyielding, complaining, fussing, griping, grumbling, kvetching, protesting, squawking, whining
    opposite: abiding, enduring, forbearing, patient, tolerant
    near: accepting, forgiving, long-suffering, resigned, uncomplaining, willing, indulgent

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Impatient

The most common words with a similar meaning to Impatient:

Slang: geeked, stoked
Informal: bonkers
agog, antsy, anxious, ardent, athirst, avid, crazy, desirous, eager, enthused, enthusiastic, excited, gaga, great, greedy, gung ho, hepped up, hopped-up, hot, hungry, juiced, keen, nuts, pumped, raring, solicitous, thirsty, voracious, wild, intolerant, champing at the bit, chomping at the bit

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Impatient

Words with the opposite meaning of Impatient:

apathetic, indifferent, uneager, unenthusiastic, abiding, enduring, forbearing, patient, tolerant

Related Words for Impatient

engaged, interested, happy, hung up, obsessed, ambitious, appetent, covetous, craving, hankering, longing, pining, breathless, restive, restless, amenable, disposed, game, glad, inclined, ready, unreluctant, willing, uncompromising, unforgiving, unyielding, complaining, fussing, griping, grumbling

Near Antonyms of Impatient

casual, incurious, insouciant, nonchalant, unconcerned, uninterested, aloof, detached, disinterested, impassive, stolid, halfhearted, lackadaisical, languid, languorous, lukewarm, spiritless, averse, disinclined, hesitant, loath, reluctant, unwilling, accepting, forgiving, long-suffering, resigned, uncomplaining, willing, indulgent

Word Forms of Impatient

Derived words: impatiently (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Impatient

Middle English impacient, from Anglo-French impacient, from Latin impatient-, impatiens, from in- + patient-, patiens patient

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Impatient

Frequently Asked Questions about Impatient

What does "Impatient" mean?

"Impatient" means not patient, restless or short of temper especially under irritation, delay, or opposition. As an adjective, it is defined as: not patient, restless or short of temper especially under irritation, delay, or opposition. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Impatient"?

Other words for "Impatient" include agog, antsy, anxious, ardent, athirst, avid, bonkers and crazy. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Impatient" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Impatient"?

There are 69 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Impatient". Common alternatives include agog, antsy, anxious, ardent, athirst, avid, bonkers, crazy, desirous and eager.

What is the opposite of "Impatient"?

Antonyms of "Impatient" include apathetic, indifferent, uneager, unenthusiastic, abiding, enduring, forbearing and patient. Near antonyms include casual, incurious, insouciant and nonchalant.

How do you use "Impatient" in a sentence?

Examples of "Impatient" in a sentence: "she was impatient to give her presentation before the landmark commission"; "those airline passengers who are so impatient of delays, even for the most obvious of reasons".

Is "Impatient" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Impatient" is an adjective.

Is "Impatient" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Impatient" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Impatient"?

"Impatient" is pronounced /(ˌ)im-ˈpā-shənt/ and divided into syllables as im·pa·tient.