scold

[ skohld ]

verb (used with object)

1. to find fault with angrily; chide; reprimand:

   The teacher scolded me for being late.

   Synonyms: censure, reprove

   Antonyms: praise

verb (used without object)

1. to find fault; reprove.
2. to use abusive language.

noun

1. a person who is constantly scolding, often with loud and abusive speech.
2. common scold.

scold

/ skəʊld /

verb

1. to find fault with or reprimand (a person) harshly; chide
2. intr to use harsh or abusive language

noun

1. a person, esp a woman, who constantly finds fault

Derived Forms

• ˈscoldingly, adverb
• ˈscolder, noun
• ˈscolding, noun
• ˈscoldable, adjective

Other Words From

• scolda·ble adjective
• scolder noun
• scolding·ly adverb
• outscold verb (used with object)
• un·scolded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scold¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; (noun) Middle English, variant of scald, from Old Norse skald “poet” (as author of insulting poems); skald; (verb) Middle English scolden, derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of scold¹

C13: from Old Norse skald

Synonym Study

See reproach.

Example Sentences

Activists scold us about which side of history we want to be on, never noticing that nobody agrees where the line is.

From The Daily Beast

Take for example, the reaction of Keith Olbermann, the reigning scold of sportslandia.

From The Daily Beast

And then I wonder if I would be such a scold with my patients about any other issue.

From The Daily Beast

Given a choice between the scoundrel and the scold, who might the people go for?

From The Daily Beast

The invitation from Peter Orlovsky provided an opportunity for her to scold Ginsberg once again.

From The Daily Beast

Remember how often you used to scold me for tangling the yarn, when you were spinning on the great wheel.

From Project Gutenberg

As soon as the old birds saw Josie and her mamma coming, they began to scold, and fly about in great alarm.

From Project Gutenberg

The frightened maid ceased to scold in her polyglot way and grew coherent.

From Project Gutenberg

The old man became dreadfully angry, you may guess, and began to scold and curse in German.

From Project Gutenberg

I charge nothing for the lodging—only do not sit up late and burn up the candles, for Therese will scold.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• admonish
• berate
• blame
• castigate
• censure
• chide
• criticize
• denounce
• rebuke
• reprimand
• reproach
• taunt
• upbraid
• vilify

More About Scold

What does scold mean?

Scold means to angrily or harshly tell someone that they’ve said or done something you think is wrong, often with the intent of making them feel bad about it so that they don’t do it again

A person may scold both other people and animals when they do something wrong. When it comes to people, it is often adults scolding children.

The noun scold refers to a person who frequently judges other people or points out their faults. This sense of the word is almost always used negatively to imply that such a person scolds too much or is often angry.

Example: My dad scolded my dog after it chewed up the couch.

Where does scold come from?

The first records of scold come from about 1150. It was used as both a noun and a verb (as scolden) in Middle English. It ultimately comes from the Old Norse word skald, “author of insulting poems.”

Odds are good that at some point in your life, you were scolded by your parents or a teacher when you misbehaved. When a person scolds someone else, they are making it clear that they disapprove of what the person did by angrily lecturing or criticizing them. The goal is to embarrass or shame the person so they won’t repeat the behavior. For example, a school teacher is very likely to scold a bully if they catch them in the act.

The word scold is often used specifically to describe when an adult corrects the behavior of a child or pet.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to scold?

• scoldable (adjective)
• scolder (noun)
• scolding (noun)
• scoldingly (adverb)
• outscold (verb)

What are some synonyms for scold?

• admonish
• berate
• criticize
• reproach
• chid

What are some words that share a root or word element with scold? 

• skald

What are some words that often get used in discussing scold?

• discipline
• lecture
• child
• pet

How is scold used in real life?

Scold is particularly used when parents or teachers are criticizing a person. The noun form is almost always used negatively.

I bought a happy meal so I can get the minion figurine even tho my mom scolded me hehe

— Giaan Nguyen (@minipasta__) June 29, 2020

Finally went to my dentist and she scolded me like anything 😭

— ~~Tαɳเҡα ~~ (@tanika_11) July 6, 2020

I'm so sore, that I can't even get up to scold my puppy when he's chewing on my socks.

— Allie Lehman (@alliepal) July 22, 2009

 

 

Try using scold!

Is scold used correctly in the following sentence?

My coach was so happy with my impressive performance that he scolded me in front of the team.