impatience

[ im-pey-shuhns ]

noun

1. lack of patience.
2. eager desire for relief or change; restlessness.
3. intolerance of anything that thwarts, delays, or hinders.

impatience

/ ɪmˈpeɪʃəns /

noun

1. lack of patience; intolerance of or irritability with anything that impedes or delays
2. restless desire for change and excitement

Word History and Origins

Origin of impatience¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English impacience, from Latin impatientia; im- ², patience

Example Sentences

“I dislike waste. I dislike inefficiency. Avoidance. Impatience. I dislike people who think they can do more than they can do. I dislike not paying attention to details, being mean just to be mean. I dislike aprons and housedresses. I used to dislike the color purple,” Martha Stewart says in the opening moments of “Martha,” Netflix’s latest celebrity documentary.

From Salon

Through the years of distance, in separate interviews, the sisters talked about how much they loved each other and expressed impatience with a media machine eager to report on their strife.

From Los Angeles Times

James Madison, who was not fond of the Holy Roman Empire’s use of an electoral college, later recalled that the final decision on how to elect a U.S. president “was produced by fatigue and impatience.”

From Salon

I would wince when sometimes he would show impatience and irritation towards his staff.

From BBC

I responded with impatience, “Of course.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anger
• annoyance
• anxiety
• eagerness
• edginess
• excitement
• nervousness
• restlessness
• uneasiness