Patience
noun/ˈpeɪʃəns/Patience is the valuable quality of being able to remain calm, steady, and understanding when facing delays, difficulties, or frustrating situations. It means you can wait for a long time, work through problems slowly, or deal with annoying people without becoming upset, angry, or giving up.
Have you ever found yourself waiting for a bus that's late, or trying to learn a new skill that takes a long time? That feeling of staying calm and not getting upset while you wait or work through difficulties is what we call patience.
It's more than just waiting quietly; patience means you can handle delays, problems, or slow progress without becoming angry, frustrated, or giving up. It's about maintaining a steady, understanding attitude even when things are challenging.
Is “patience” positive or negative?
“Patience” is a positive word — a compliment. Patience is overwhelmingly positive because it describes a desirable quality of calmness and understanding in difficult or slow situations. It's used to praise someone's ability to handle stress or delays gracefully, showing maturity and control. People often admire those who demonstrate patience.
Patience in a sentence
- “Waiting for the doctor's appointment required a lot of patience.
- “Teaching a young child to tie their shoes demands endless patience.
- “She showed great patience while explaining the complex instructions to her new colleague.
- “Growing a garden from seeds truly tests your patience as you wait for them to sprout.
- “He exercised patience with the slow internet connection, trying not to get frustrated.
- “Developing any new skill, like playing an instrument, takes time and immense patience.
Common phrases with “patience”
Words similar to “patience” (and how they differ)
Tolerance is about accepting or putting up with things you don't necessarily like or agree with, especially differences in opinions or behavior, without becoming angry or judgmental.
“He showed great tolerance for his neighbor's loud music.”
Endurance refers to the ability to withstand hardship, pain, or prolonged effort over a long period, often physically, without giving up.
“The marathon runner needed incredible endurance to finish the race.”
Perseverance is the quality of continuing to try to achieve something difficult, despite obstacles or setbacks, focusing on a goal.
“Her perseverance in studying led her to pass the difficult exam.”
Forbearance is a more formal term for self-control and restraint, especially in refraining from enforcing a right, delaying payment, or retaliating when provoked.
“The landlord showed forbearance by allowing the tenant to pay rent late.”
Composure means being calm, self-controlled, and collected, especially in difficult or stressful situations, often referring to one's outward manner.
“Despite the bad news, she maintained her composure.”
Opposites of “patience”
Word family
Describes a person who has patience, like 'He is a very patient teacher.'
Describes how an action is done, showing patience, like 'She waited patiently for her turn.'
Where the word comes from
The word 'patience' comes from the Old French 'pacience,' which itself originated from the Latin 'patientia.' This Latin root means 'suffering' or 'endurance,' reflecting the idea of enduring difficulties without complaint.
Frequently asked
What does patience mean?
Patience is the ability to stay calm and not get frustrated or upset when you have to wait for something, deal with problems, or when things are slow. It means you can handle delays or difficulties without losing your temper or giving up.
Is patience a positive or negative quality?
Patience is definitely a positive quality. It shows strength, self-control, and understanding, which are highly valued traits in most cultures and situations.
How do you use 'patience' in a sentence?
You can use 'patience' in many ways. For example, 'It requires a lot of patience to teach a dog new tricks,' or 'My patience was tested by the long queue.'
What's the difference between patience and tolerance?
Patience is about staying calm during waiting or difficulties. Tolerance is about accepting things you might not like, such as other people's opinions or annoying habits, without getting angry. While related, patience is more about enduring time or process, and tolerance is about enduring differences.
Why is patience important?
Patience is important because it helps you make better decisions, reduces stress, allows you to achieve long-term goals, and improves your relationships by helping you understand others better and react less impulsively.
Can you learn to have more patience?
Yes, absolutely! Patience is a skill that can be developed over time with practice. Mindfulness, taking deep breaths, setting realistic expectations, and practicing empathy can all help you become more patient.