patient

PAY-shuhnt/ˈpeɪʃənt/

4 meanings of patient

1
medical carenouncountable
Someone who is getting medical care from a doctor, nurse, or dentist.
Like a customer who visits a shop, but a patient visits to get health care.
The nurse gave the patient her medicine before lunch.
Doctors see many patients in the clinic each day.
2
adjective
Able to wait or keep trying calmly for a long time without getting angry or upset.
Like waiting for a slow elevator without getting upset.
Try to be patient while we wait for the next bus.
The teacher stayed patient with the slower students.
UsageSay be patient, or patient with someone.
Similartolerant, forbearing, uncomplaining, persevering, persistent
Oppositeimpatient, restless, intolerant
Note
3
nouncountable
A person or thing that an action happens to. In grammar, the one affected by what the verb does.
Like a ball that gets kicked: it does not kick. It just gets moved.
When someone pushes a box, the box is the patient.
In "Sam broke the window," the window is the patient.
Oppositeagent
Note

Less common meaning

4
adjectiveobsolete
Strong enough in body to bear pain or hardship.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin patiens, meaning "suffering" or "enduring", which came into English through French.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

Patient derives from Latin patiens. en.wiktionary.org
Latin patiens means suffering or enduring. en.wiktionary.org
The word came into English through French. en.wiktionary.org