Patient: waiting without irritation

The idea

Patient describes someone who accepts delay or difficulty without getting annoyed. Say patient with a person or thing.

Examples

• Please be patient while the bread bakes.
• The patient driver waited for the sheep to cross.
• She was patient with the children as they learned.
• We must be patient with the slow computer.
• He gave a patient answer after the long pause.
• The gardeners were patient through the dry summer.

Watch out

Do not confuse the adjective patient with the noun for someone receiving medical care.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct option. The queue is long, so please be ___. (patient / impatient)

   Show answer or example answer

   patient

   Patient fits the request to accept the long wait.

2. Choose the correct option. Be patient ___ your younger brother. (with / at)

   Show answer or example answer

   with

   With introduces the brother.

3. Choose the correct option. The guests waited ___ for their table. (patient / patiently)

   Show answer or example answer

   patiently

   Patiently describes how the guests waited.

Use it today

Describe a time when someone waited without complaining.