scold
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
-
to find fault; reprove.
-
to use abusive language.
noun
-
a person who is constantly scolding, often with loud and abusive speech.
verb
-
to find fault with or reprimand (a person) harshly; chide
-
(intr) to use harsh or abusive language
noun
Usage
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 againA 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.
Related Words
See reproach.
Other Word Forms
- outscold verb (used with object)
- scoldable adjective
- scolder noun
- scolding noun
- scoldingly adverb
- unscolded adjective
Etymology
Origin of scold
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra significantly declined as more Democrats entered the contest and Porter dealt with the fallout from videos of her cursing at an aide and scolding a reporter.
From Los Angeles Times
He scolded himself for taking the migration that was in no way a vacation even though he didn’t really have to migrate.
From Literature
Rowdy was barking and whimpering, and Daisy was yelling and scolding.
From Literature
“Well, just look at this room,” she said, as if she were my mother and scolding me for not picking it up.
From Literature
In Zambrano’s case, Gee scolded the government over how the detention unfolded.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
