impatience

/ɪmˈpeɪʃɪns/

/ɪmˈpeɪʃəns/

Other forms: impatiences

Impatience is the tendency to be irritable or easily frustrated. A bus driver's impatience often results in her yelling, honking her horn, and gesturing angrily at other drivers.

If you are easily annoyed or provoked, your impatience is showing. Impatience is also why you hate being late, or having to wait for something or someone. It comes from patience, the habit or trait of being able to wait calmly or even tolerate discomfort without complaining. The "opposite of" prefix im- tells you that impatience is the complete opposite.

Definitions of impatience

1. noun

   a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay
   synonyms: restlessness

   type of:

   annoyance, botheration, irritation, vexation

   the psychological state of being irritated or annoyed
2. noun

   a dislike of anything that causes delay
   antonyms:

   patience

   good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence

   types:

   intolerance

   impatience with annoyances

   type of:

   ill nature

   a disagreeable, irritable, or malevolent disposition
3. noun

   a restless desire for change and excitement
   type of:

   fidget, fidgetiness, restlessness

   a feeling of agitation expressed in continual motion