scolding
B1neutral to informal
Definition
Meaning
An instance of speaking to someone angrily or critically because they have done something wrong.
A prolonged, harsh reprimand, often from a person in authority, expressing disapproval. Also refers to the act itself. Used metaphorically for harsh, continuous sounds (e.g., scolding wind).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a one-sided, angry, and often moralistic or parental rebuke. Focus is on the speaker's expression of anger/disappointment rather than the recipient's fault. The 'gerund' form (-ing) is far more common as a noun than its use as a verb ('to scold').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Scold' as a noun (a person who scolds) is archaic in both, but slightly more likely to be found in older British texts.
Connotations
Both share strong connotations of parental, especially maternal, reprimand.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in everyday British English, where 'ticking off' or 'telling off' are close synonyms. In AmE, 'chewing out' or 'yelling at' are more informal equivalents.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
give sb a scolding (for sth)get/receive a scolding (from sb) (for sth)deserve a scoldingscolding for + -ing verb (e.g., for being late)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The wind had a scolding tone.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; considered unprofessional. 'Reprimand' or 'feedback' is preferred.
Academic
Rare in formal writing; may appear in literary analysis or historical texts describing social interactions.
Everyday
Very common, especially in family/personal contexts.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Mum will scold us if we track mud on the carpet.
- The teacher scolded the class for their poor results.
American English
- My dad scolded me for denting the car.
- The coach scolded the player for missing practice.
adverb
British English
- She spoke scoldingly to the dog for chewing the slipper.
- He shook his head scoldingly.
American English
- "You know better," she said scoldingly.
- The manager looked at him scoldingly over his glasses.
adjective
British English
- She fixed him with a scolding look.
- The letter had a scolding tone.
American English
- He used a scolding voice that made the children quiet down.
- Her scolding remarks were meant to be helpful.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The child got a scolding for drawing on the wall.
- My mum gave me a scolding when I came home late.
- After the scolding from his boss, he worked much more carefully.
- She felt the teacher's scolding was unfair.
- The minister's public scolding of the journalist caused a minor scandal.
- His constant lateness eventually warranted a stern scolding.
- The editorial delivered a scolding indictment of the government's environmental policy.
- Beneath her scolding exterior lay a genuine concern for his welfare.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SCOLD (an old word for a nagging woman) + ING. A SCOLD-ING is what a scold does.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANGER IS HEAT (a heated scolding), CRITICISM IS A PHYSICAL BLOW (he took the scolding badly).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to 'ругань' (swearing/cursing) as 'scolding' is not profane. Better fits 'выговор' or 'порицание'. Do not confuse with 'scalding' (обжигающий).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'scolding' as a verb in continuous tenses is correct ('She is scolding him'), but overusing the noun form. Confusing spelling with 'scalding' (very hot).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'scolding' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but it strongly implies a power imbalance similar to a parent-child dynamic. It can be used between teachers/students, bosses/employees (informally), or even between partners, but always carries that connotation of one party chastising another for a fault.
'Scolding' is emotional, angry, and often moralistic; it's about expressing displeasure. 'Criticism' can be calm, reasoned, and constructive, focusing on the fault itself rather than the emotional response to it.
Yes, though it's more commonly associated with speech. A 'scolding letter' or 'scolding review' uses the metaphor of an angry verbal reprimand applied to text.
No. The correct patterns are 'He scolded me' or 'He gave me a scolding'. The verb 'scold' is transitive and takes a direct object.