Scold

/skoʊld/

Meaning & Definition

verb
to reprimand someone angrily or with disapproval.
The teacher scolded the students for talking during the lesson.
to criticize or rebuke someone for their actions.
She scolded her dog for chewing on the furniture.
to express discontent or annoyance at someone's behavior.
He often scolds his children for not cleaning up after themselves.
to speak to someone in an angry or critical way.
The parent scolded the child for running in the house.

Etymology

Middle English 'scolden', from Old Norse 'skalda', meaning 'to accuse' or 'to rebuke'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

scold like a fishwife
To scold in a very loud and harsh manner.
scolding tone
A tone of voice used to reprimand someone.
to scold someone black and blue
To scold someone harshly and thoroughly.

Related Words

rebuke
To criticize someone sharply.
discipline
To train someone to obey rules or a code of behavior.

Slang Meanings

To give someone a hard time.
She was just scolding me over nothing!
To lay into someone.
My mom really laid into me for not cleaning my room.