Impatience: meaning, definitions and examples

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impatience

 

[ ɪmˈpeɪʃəns ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

feeling

Impatience is a feeling of annoyance caused by delay or waiting.

Synonyms

aggravation, irritation, restlessness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
impatience

When someone cannot wait any longer for something and is eager for it to happen soon.

  • He was tapping his foot in impatience while waiting for the bus
irritation

Used when something causes mild annoyance or discomfort.

  • He felt a bit of irritation in his eyes due to the dust
aggravation

When someone feels annoyed or angry about something that is ongoing or repetitive.

  • The continuous barking of the neighbor's dog is a daily source of aggravation
restlessness

Describes a state when a person feels unable to stay still or calm, often due to anxiety or boredom.

  • She felt restlessness the night before the big exam and couldn't fall asleep

Examples of usage

  • I could sense his impatience as he tapped his foot impatiently.
  • Her impatience grew as she waited in line for over an hour.
Context #2 | Noun

behavior

Impatience can manifest as a lack of tolerance for delays or a tendency to rush things.

Synonyms

hastiness, imperiousness, restlessness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
impatience

This word is used when someone finds it difficult to wait for something, often feeling annoyed or irritated by delays.

  • She tapped her foot with impatience as she waited in line.
  • His impatience was evident when the meeting started late.
restlessness

Restlessness refers to an inability to stay still or calm, often due to anxiety or boredom.

  • He couldn't sleep because of his restlessness before the big exam.
  • Her restlessness was obvious as she moved around the room, unable to sit still.
hastiness

Hastiness refers to acting too quickly without careful thought, often leading to mistakes or poor decisions.

  • His hastiness in making decisions caused several problems for the team.
  • She regretted her hastiness when she bought the expensive dress without trying it on.
imperiousness

This is used to describe someone who acts with an arrogant and domineering manner, showing a sense of superiority over others. It often has a negative connotation.

  • The manager's imperiousness made it difficult for the team to feel motivated.
  • Her imperiousness was evident as she gave orders without listening to anyone's input.

Examples of usage

  • His impatience with slow drivers often led to road rage incidents.
  • Her impatience to finish the project resulted in errors due to rushing.

Translations

Translations of the word "impatience" in other languages:

🇵🇹 impaciência

🇮🇳 अधीरता

🇩🇪 Ungeduld

🇮🇩 ketidaksabaran

🇺🇦 нетерпіння

🇵🇱 niecierpliwość

🇯🇵 焦り (あせり)

🇫🇷 impatience

🇪🇸 impaciencia

🇹🇷 sabırsızlık

🇰🇷 성급함

🇸🇦 نفاد الصبر

🇨🇿 netrpělivost

🇸🇰 netrpezlivosť

🇨🇳 不耐烦 (bù nàifán)

🇸🇮 nepotrpežljivost

🇮🇸 óþolinmæði

🇰🇿 шыдамсыздық

🇬🇪 უთმენლობა

🇦🇿 səbirliksizlik

🇲🇽 impaciencia

Etymology

The word 'impatience' originated in the mid-14th century, derived from the Old French word 'impatience' and the Latin word 'impatientia'. It has been used to describe the feeling of annoyance or restlessness caused by delays or waiting throughout history.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,707, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.