patient

/ˈpeɪʃənt/
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Able to endure delay or difficulty calmly, or a person under professional medical care.

Examples

  • A patient search eventually revealed the missing record.
  • Each patient receives a written treatment plan.
  • No patient should have to wait outside in the cold.
  • He remained patient despite months of delays.
  • She became a patient of the clinic last year.

Similar words

calm
tolerant
client
forbearing
unhurried
persistent
case
understanding

Meanings

Calmly enduring difficulty

adjective
behavior
neutral
Able to wait, continue through difficulty, or deal with provocation calmly without becoming annoyed or complaining.

Examples

  • Please be patient while the page loads.
  • She was remarkably patient with the new trainee.
  • Are you patient enough to teach a child to read?
  • He remained patient despite months of delays.
  • A patient search eventually revealed the missing record.

Similar words

Person receiving medical care

noun
medical
neutral
A person receiving medical treatment or care, or registered with a particular doctor, dentist, clinic, or practice.

Examples

  • The patient described a sharp pain in her shoulder.
  • Each patient receives a written treatment plan.
  • Has the patient signed the consent form?
  • She became a patient of the clinic last year.
  • No patient should have to wait outside in the cold.

Similar words

Etymology

From Old French pacient and Latin patiens, meaning enduring or suffering. The adjective entered English in the mid-1300s, and the medical noun followed in the late 1300s.

FAQ

What does patient mean?

As an adjective, patient means able to wait or endure difficulty calmly. As a noun, it means a person receiving medical care.

What is the opposite of patient?

The usual opposite of the adjective patient is impatient.

Do you say patient with or patient about?

Use patient with for a person or problem, and patient about when describing an attitude toward a situation.

What is the plural of patient?

The regular plural is patients.

Is a healthy person still a patient?

Yes. A person registered with a doctor or receiving preventive care can be a patient without currently being ill.

How is patient pronounced?

In General American English, patient is pronounced /ˈpeɪʃənt/.

Where does patient come from?

Patient ultimately comes from Latin patiens, meaning enduring or suffering.

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