patient
gb/pˈeɪʃənt/ us/pˈeɪʃənt/
A2
English
~ 500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Person under medical treatment
A person who gets care from a doctor or nurse.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a patient at [hospital/clinic]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'patient' (noun) with 'patience' (noun for ability to wait calmly).
Synonyms
case (Used in medical contexts to refer to a person being treated, often focusing on the medical condition rather than the individual.)
Antonyms
doctor (Opposite role in the medical context; the healthcare provider rather than the receiver of care.)
Collocations
treat a patient
|admit a patient
|patient care
|patient records
|patient safety
Themes
health
|medicine
|daily life
|daily_life
Examples
- The doctor spoke gently to the patient before the surgery.
- Several patients are waiting in the clinic for their appointments.
- The nurse checked the patient's blood pressure.
- Patients must follow the hospital's visiting rules.
- She has been a patient here for over a year.
Learner examples
- The patient is in the hospital.
- I saw many patients in the waiting room.
- The doctor helps the patient feel better.
- A nurse gave the patient some medicine.
adjective
A2
property
2
Able to wait without losing temper
Able to wait or accept something without getting angry or upset.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is patient with [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'patient' (adjective) with 'patience' (noun), or use 'patient' when they mean 'patience'.
Synonyms
tolerant (Emphasizes acceptance of others' behavior or opinions, not just waiting calmly.)
Antonyms
impatient (Describes someone who cannot wait calmly and becomes easily annoyed.)
Collocations
patient with children
|remain patient
|be patient
|patient attitude
Themes
emotions
|personality
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- You need to be patient when teaching young kids.
- She remained patient despite the long delays.
- He is very patient with his elderly parents.
- Try to be patient while we fix the problem.
Learner examples
- She is patient with her little brother.
- Be patient. The bus will come soon.
- He is a very patient teacher.
- I try to be patient when I wait.
Grammar
Dictionary form
patient
IPA
GB/pˈeɪʃənt/
US/pˈeɪʃənt/
Syllables & stress
pa - tient (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pa)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: patient
Noun
- Base: patient
- Plural: patients
Word family
Expressions
be patient
1/bˈi pˈeɪʃənt/
fixed phrase
Stay calm and wait politely
To stay calm and not get angry while you wait or deal with problems.
Examples
- Please be patient; your turn will come soon.
- We must be patient while the repairs are finished.
be patient with
1/bˈi pˈeɪʃənt wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
Stay calm toward someone/something difficult
To stay calm and not get angry at someone or something that causes delay or trouble.
Examples
- Try to be patient with the new student; he's still learning.
- She was very patient with the slow computer.
patient care
1/pˈeɪʃənt kˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
technical
Medical attention given to patients
The help and treatment that doctors and nurses give to people who are sick or hurt.
Examples
- The hospital focuses on improving patient care.
- Good communication is an important part of patient care.