Patience: meaning, definitions and examples

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patience

[ˈpeɪʃ(ə)ns ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

virtue

The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.

Synonyms

endurance, forbearance, perseverance, tolerance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
patience	Patience is most often used to describe the ability to wait calmly for something without getting angry or upset. It is a positive and highly regarded trait in both personal and professional settings. She showed great patience while waiting for her turn. You need a lot of patience to deal with young children.
tolerance	Tolerance is the ability to accept or endure differences and viewpoints that one may disagree with. It is often used in social and cultural contexts. We need to promote tolerance and understanding among different communities. He showed great tolerance by listening to everyone's opinions.
endurance	Endurance refers to the ability to withstand hardship or stress over a long period. It is often used in physical or athletic contexts but can also refer to mental or emotional strength. His endurance during the marathon was impressive. She has the endurance to handle long working hours.
perseverance	Perseverance denotes a continued effort to achieve a goal despite difficulties or delays. It carries a positive connotation of determination and grit. Her perseverance in finishing the project was commendable. Success often requires hard work and perseverance.
forbearance	Forbearance describes the ability to control oneself and tolerate a difficult situation without reacting strongly. It can be used in legal or financial contexts to describe the act of refraining from enforcing a right. The lender showed forbearance by postponing the loan due date. He demonstrated remarkable forbearance during the heated argument.

Examples of usage

She handled the situation with patience and grace.
It requires a lot of patience to teach young children.
Patience is a key quality for a successful leader.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

medical

The ability to suppress restlessness or annoyance when faced with delay.

Synonyms

composure, poise, self-control.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
patience	Suitable when enduring difficult situations without getting angry or upset. It takes a lot of patience to raise children Waiting in long lines requires patience
composure	Used when someone remains calm and maintains control in stressful or unexpected situations. Despite the chaos around her, she kept her composure He lost his composure during the heated argument
self-control	Refers to the ability to regulate one's emotions, behavior, and desires, especially in challenging situations. It requires self-control to stick to a diet He demonstrated great self-control by not responding to the provocation
poise	Appropriate when referring to graceful and elegant bearing in a person, often under pressure or during public situations. She handled the stage with great poise His poise during the interview impressed everyone

Examples of usage

The doctor advised him to have patience during the recovery process.
Patience is crucial for a successful rehabilitation.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

card games

A game for one player played with a deck of cards, the object of which is to use up all one's cards by forming particular arrangements and sequences.

Synonyms

klondike, solitaire.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
patience	In British English, 'patience' is often used to refer to a single-player card game, commonly known as 'solitaire' in American English. The term is also generally used to describe the ability to wait for a long period without becoming annoyed or upset. She had the patience to learn a difficult new skill He was playing a game of patience to pass the time
solitaire	In American English, 'solitaire' is used to refer to any single-player card game. It can also refer to a single gem or diamond set alone in a piece of jewelry. She enjoys playing solitaire to relax after work His engagement ring features a solitaire diamond
klondike	This is a specific type of solitaire card game. It is perhaps the most well-known variation, frequently included as a default game on operating systems like Windows. I spent the afternoon playing Klondike on my computer Do you know how to play Klondike?

Word

Description / Examples

patience

In British English, 'patience' is often used to refer to a single-player card game, commonly known as 'solitaire' in American English. The term is also generally used to describe the ability to wait for a long period without becoming annoyed or upset.

She had the patience to learn a difficult new skill
He was playing a game of patience to pass the time

solitaire

In American English, 'solitaire' is used to refer to any single-player card game. It can also refer to a single gem or diamond set alone in a piece of jewelry.

She enjoys playing solitaire to relax after work
His engagement ring features a solitaire diamond

klondike

This is a specific type of solitaire card game. It is perhaps the most well-known variation, frequently included as a default game on operating systems like Windows.

I spent the afternoon playing Klondike on my computer
Do you know how to play Klondike?

Examples of usage

She enjoys playing solitaire in her free time.
Solitaire requires patience and strategy to win.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The word 'patience' comes from the Latin root 'patientia', which means 'suffering' or 'enduring'.
It has been used in English since the 14th century, reflecting a long history of valuing waiting and endurance.
Philosophers throughout history have emphasized the importance of patience in achieving personal growth.

Psychology

Studies show that individuals with better self-control are typically more patient, often leading to better life outcomes.
Patience can be trained; techniques like mindfulness help individuals improve their patience over time.
Research indicates that people who practice patience can experience lower stress levels and improved relationships.

Culture

In many cultures, patience is viewed as a virtue, often linked to wisdom and maturity.
Japanese culture emphasizes patience in crafts, as seen in the way traditional arts like tea ceremony require meticulous waiting and precision.
Many religious traditions, from Buddhism to Christianity, include teachings about the value of being patient in the face of challenges.

Literature

Famous literary works often reference patience, symbolizing resilience – such as Homer's 'Odyssey', where Odysseus demonstrates unwavering patience through his journey.
Proverbs in various cultures often highlight patience, suggesting that 'good things come to those who wait' as a moral lesson.
Authors like Jane Austen and Leo Tolstoy weave themes of patience in their character development and plot progression.

Science

Research in behavioral science indicates that delayed gratification, a form of patience, is crucial for long-term success.
Experiments with children reveal that those who can wait for a bigger reward tend to have better life outcomes later on.
Neuroscience studies show that exercising patience activates specific brain regions linked to self-control and emotional regulation.

Translations

Translations of the word "patience" in other languages:

🇵🇹 paciência

🇮🇳 धैर्य

🇩🇪 Geduld

🇮🇩 kesabaran

🇺🇦 терпіння

🇵🇱 cierpliwość

🇯🇵 忍耐 (にんたい)

🇫🇷 patience

🇪🇸 paciencia

🇹🇷 sabır

🇰🇷 인내 (innae)

🇸🇦 صبر (sabr)

🇨🇿 trpělivost

🇸🇰 trpezlivosť

🇨🇳 耐心 (nàixīn)

🇸🇮 potrpežljivost

🇮🇸 þolinmæði

🇰🇿 шыдамдылық

🇬🇪 მოთმინება (motmineba)

🇦🇿 səbir

🇲🇽 paciencia

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,074 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
5071 enrolled
5072 challenged
5073 stuck
5074 patience
5075 borrowed
5076 indigenous
5077 organize
...