patience
The ability to wait or endure without becoming upset.
Word facts
Definition
Patience is the ability to wait, endure, or deal with difficulty calmly without becoming frustrated or upset. A patient person does not get agitated when things take longer than expected or when they face obstacles. Patience is especially valued in learning, relationships, and difficult situations.
Usage: 'Patience is a virtue' is a widely used saying meaning that the ability to wait calmly is a quality worth developing. The idiom 'test someone's patience' means to push a patient person toward frustration.
Example sentences
- 1
Learning to play the violin requires a great deal of patience and consistent daily practice.
- 2
She listened with patience while he explained his concerns without interrupting.
- 3
With patience and practice, even the most difficult skills become manageable over time.
Word family
From Old French pacience and Latin patientia ('suffering, endurance'), from pati ('to suffer, to endure'). Related to 'patient' (someone receiving medical care, who must endure) and 'passive' (accepting without resistance).
A patient waits — often in a waiting room. Patience is what you bring to the waiting room. The medical patient and the virtue patience share the same Latin root: pati, to endure.
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What is the adjective form of patience?
The adjective form is patient. Example: She is very patient with beginners who are just starting out.
How many syllables does patience have?
Patience has 2 syllables: pa-tience. The stress is on the first syllable.
What is the difference between patience and tolerance?
Patience is about waiting or enduring over time without frustration. Tolerance is about accepting differences, behaviors, or situations you might not prefer.
What does 'lose patience' mean?
To lose patience means to stop being calm after enduring a long wait or a frustrating situation — your patience has run out.