scold

UK: /ˈskəʊld/ US: /skoʊld/ ,(skōld)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

scold /skoʊld/  v. 

1. to find fault with (someone), esp. in an angry way: [~ + object]
   scolded her daughter for fighting at school.
   [no object]
   to scold for no good reason.

n. [countable]

2. one who constantly scolds.

scold•ing, n. 

[countable] Give her a good scolding.

[uncountable] I don't know if scolding will do any good.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

scold  (skōld), v.t. 

1. to find fault with angrily;
   chide;
   reprimand:
   The teacher scolded me for being late.

v.i. 

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

n. 

4. a person who is constantly scolding, often with loud and abusive speech.
5. See common scold. 

• Old Norse skald poet (as author of insulting poems); see skald; (verb, verbal) Middle English scolden, derivative of the noun, nominal
• (noun, nominal) Middle English, variant of scald 1150–1200

scold′a•ble, adj. 
scold′er, n. 
scold′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. reprove; censure. See reproach. 

Antonyms

• 1. praise.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

scold / skəʊld/ verb

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

noun

1. a person who constantly finds fault

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old Norse skald

ˈscolder noun

ˈscolding noun