adj

patient

PEHY-shuhnt

adj

Able to wait calmly without becoming annoyed or anxious.

"Please be patient — the doctor will see you shortly."

"He remained patient despite the long delay."

noun

A person receiving medical care or treatment.

"The patient was discharged from hospital after a week."

How to Use Patient

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither calmly willing to wait (adjective), or someone under medical care (noun).

Common pairings

patient with someone hospital patient be patient

more patient comparative, patients plural, Patients plural, most patient superlative

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Please be _____ — the doctor will see you shortly.

From Latin patiens, present participle of patior, "to suffer or endure" — the same root as "patience."

orient ancient salient ambient lenient obedient nutrient gradient sentient impatient transient recipient