impatiently

Impatiently is an adverb describing the manner in which an action is performed, indicating a lack of patience, eagerness, or irritability while waiting or pursuing something. It answers how an action is done and is commonly used to convey emotional tone in narration or description.

Etymology and form: impatiently is formed from the adjective impatient plus the adverbial suffix -ly. The base adjective derives from Latin roots through Old French and Middle English, broadly tied to the idea of not being patient. The adverbial form is standard in English for modifying verbs and, less commonly, adjectives or entire clauses.

Usage and examples: Impatiently typically modifies verbs. Examples include: “She waited impatiently for the bus,” “He tapped his pen impatiently during the lecture,” and “The audience waited impatiently for the announcement.” The adverb can express irritation, urgency, or restlessness, but tone can vary with context and voice.

Nuance and style: Impatiently often implies a negative or tense mood, but it can also signal strong anticipation or focus. In formal writing, the word may be traded for more neutral constructions such as “with impatience” or rephrased to place less emphasis on emotion, depending on the desired tone.

Synonyms and related terms: Similar but not identical terms include restlessly, anxiously, or eagerly, each carrying subtle differences in nuance. Antonyms include patiently or calmly. Related forms include the adjective impatient and the noun impatience.

See also: impatient, impatience, impatienc e (impatience-related terms).