patience

Universal Words noun [U] 1 ~ (with sb/sth) the ability to stay calm and accept a delay or sth annoying without complaining: She has little patience with (= will not accept or consider) such views. * People have lost patience with (= have become annoyed about) the slow pace of reform. * My patience is wearing thin. * I have run out of patience with her. * Teaching children with special needs requires patience and understanding. * You'd try the patience of a saint! 2 the ability to spend a lot of time doing sth difficult that needs a lot of attention and effort: It takes time and patience to photograph wildlife. * I don't have the patience to do jigsaw puzzles. 3 (BrE) (AmE solitaire) a card game for only one player IDIOMS see TRYv.