impatient

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'impatient' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is eager or eager to do or have something and shows annoyance or displeasure because it has not yet happened. Example: She was growing impatient while waiting in line at the supermarket.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We stood in front of an impatient queue of people at the entrance, their hopes of getting into the prison fading fast.

The Guardian

When things are going very well he sometimes gets a bit impatient as to why they are not going better, but he was actually very calm after the first debate," he recalled.

The Guardian

Schlesinger's attitude to work made him impatient with fellow British directors, notably Lindsay Anderson (obituary, September 1 1994), whom he considered over-selective and unable (or, as he said, unwilling) to work regularly.

The Guardian

When, for example, you're at a busy junction, and it means that you can launch off safely, a few essential seconds before the dam breaks and the river of impatient killer metal is released.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And the music sounds like heroin, with its drones and impatient feedback and stuttering words.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Brash, opinionated and impatient, Kasparov did not come into this world to suffer fools, delay or defeat.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet no club is more impulsive, more impatient and more prone to the pañolada, the mutinous waving of white hankies, than their great rivals.

The Guardian - Sport

"We forget about those kinds of things," he says, adding that he sympathizes with those who are impatient.

The Guardian - Money

"I want to hear Aja! Aja! Let's go! Come on, Walter!" screamed one impatient fan next to me during Show Biz Kids.

The Guardian - Music

Denis is impatient with the notion that Chocolat or White Material are autobiographical or even related as films.

The Guardian - Film

For a different type of director Hopcraft sought out the chairman of Oldham Athletic whom he described as "one of the new breed of postwar tycoons, impatient with established practice, keenly aware of his own acumen, bold in scope".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "impatient", consider the reason behind their impatience. Providing context adds depth and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "impatient" when a milder term like "eager" or "anxious" would be more appropriate. "Impatient" often implies a degree of frustration or annoyance.

Linguistic Context

The word "impatient" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of restlessness, eagerness, or intolerance towards delays. Ludwig shows that it is used to describe people or entities eager to start something or expressing frustration with waiting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impatient" is a versatile adjective used to describe someone or something that is restless, eager, or intolerant of delays. According to Ludwig, the word is grammatically sound and appropriate in various contexts, especially news and media. It’s crucial to consider the intensity of the word and whether a milder alternative like "eager" or "anxious" might be more fitting. When using "impatient", consider the context behind someone's impatience to provide depth. The word has a very high frequency in the analyzed corpus, so it's crucial to properly calibrate its intensity according to what you are intending to communicate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intolerant of delay

Directly expresses an unwillingness to accept lateness or postponement.

restless

Focuses more on the inability to stay still or quiet due to unease.

restive

Similar to restless but suggests a resistance to control or restraint.

eager

Emphasizes a strong desire or enthusiasm to do something or for something to happen.

can't wait

Expresses a strong feeling of anticipation and excitement, suggesting one is looking forward to something eagerly.

anxious

Highlights a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

itching to

Conveys a strong desire or urge to do something, often implying a sense of barely contained energy.

in a hurry

Indicates a need to act or proceed quickly, often due to a sense of urgency or a desire to save time.

on edge

Suggests a state of heightened nervousness or irritability, often due to anticipation or uncertainty.

brimming with anticipation

Highlights a state of being full of excitement and expectation for something that is about to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "impatient" in a sentence?

You can use "impatient" to describe someone who is restless or intolerant of delays. For example, "The customers grew "impatient" while waiting in the long line."

What's the difference between "impatient" and "anxious"?

"Impatient" describes someone who is restless and doesn't like to wait, while "anxious" describes someone who is worried or uneasy. You might be "impatient" for your food to arrive at a restaurant, or "anxious" about the results of a medical test.

What are some alternatives to saying someone is "impatient"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "restless", "eager", or "intolerant of delay".

Is it correct to say "I am impatient to see you"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It means you are very eager and perhaps a little restless about seeing someone. A similar phrase would be "I can't wait to see you".