What Is The Definition Of Scold? | Meaning And Uses

People use the word scold when a comment isn’t just advice. It’s a verbal pushback, usually aimed at stopping a behavior. It can be mild, like a quick “Hey, knock it off,” or harsh, like an angry dressing-down.

If you searched “what is the definition of scold?”, you want a straight meaning.

This guide clears up what scold means, what it doesn’t mean, and when it fits better than nearby words like reprimand, lecture, or criticize. You’ll see how tone changes meaning, how to use the word in sentences, and how to avoid dated wording.

Fast Ways “Scold” Gets Used

“Scold” can point to a quick correction or a longer spoken warning. Context does most of the work. The same verb can feel caring in one scene and hostile in another.

Use Of “Scold”	Typical Tone	Common Setting
Gentle scold (short correction)	Firm, calm	Parent to child, teacher to student
Sharp scold (strong disapproval)	Upset, cutting	After a rule is broken
Public scold	Embarrassing, tense	In front of others
Private scold	Direct, controlled	One-on-one talk
Scold as a pattern	Habitual, nagging	Repeated complaints over small things
Scold in writing	Formal or literary	Stories, essays, news writing
Scold as a label (older noun)	Judgmental, dated	Old texts; can sound insulting
Self-scold	Frustrated, self-critical	Talking to yourself after a mistake

What Is The Definition Of Scold? In Daily Talk

In daily speech, people say someone “scolded” when they got told off. The speaker is correcting, blaming, or warning. The point is behavior change, not friendly feedback.

If you’re writing a definition in your own words, you can say: to scold means to speak to someone in an angry or stern way because you think they did something wrong.

What “Scold” Adds That Other Words Don’t

Some words near scold lean formal. Others lean casual. “Scold” sits in the middle, and it carries a clear emotional edge.

• Scold suggests a spoken rebuke with heat behind it.
• Reprimand sounds official, like a boss or a school rule.
• Lecture suggests a long talk that can feel preachy.
• Criticize can be calm and reasoned; it doesn’t always aim to stop behavior right away.
• Yell is about volume; you can yell without scolding, and you can scold without yelling.

Parts Of Speech And Word Forms

Scold is usually a verb. It changes with tense like other regular verbs.

• Base verb: scold
• Third person: scolds
• Past tense: scolded
• Present participle: scolding

“Scolding” can act like an adjective in phrases like “a scolding tone” or “a scolding voice.” That use points to the sound and attitude, not the action itself.

Pronunciation Notes

Most speakers say it with one syllable: skohld. The vowel sound matches words like cold and told.

Meaning By Context

Definitions are short, but real usage is messy. Tone, relationship, and stakes shape how “scold” lands. A parent scolding a child about traffic safety is not the same as a stranger scolding someone over a minor annoyance.

When “Scold” Feels Mild

A mild scold is quick and bounded. It stops the action, names the issue, then ends. People may pair it with care, like checking if someone understands the rule.

When “Scold” Feels Harsh

A harsh scold lingers. It can turn into name-calling or humiliation. In writing, you can signal this with verbs like “snapped,” “barked,” or “scolded bitterly,” plus body-language cues.

Common Collocations With “Scold”

Writers often pair scold with a reason, a target, or a manner word. These pairings help readers feel the scene.

• scold someone for being late
• scold someone about manners
• scold someone in a stern voice
• scold someone gently (when the mood stays calm)
• scold someone harshly (when anger shows)

Notice how the reason phrase matters. “She scolded him for lying” is clear. “She scolded him” is vague, so readers may wonder what sparked it.

Definition Of Scold In School Writing And Exams

In school writing, “scold” is a clean choice when you want a single verb that signals disapproval plus correction. It’s sharper than “tell” and shorter than “reprimand.”

When a prompt asks for a definition, keep it direct. A good line follows the pattern “to scold means to…” and ends with the purpose: correction or blame.

Short Definition Sentence Patterns

• To scold means to speak angrily to someone for doing something wrong.
• To scold is to rebuke someone in a stern way to stop bad behavior.
• Someone scolds when they criticize a person sharply to correct them.

Dictionary Definitions You Can Trust

If you need a citation-grade definition, dictionaries are the safest stop. Merriam-Webster defines scold as a verb, and Cambridge Dictionary gives plain learner-friendly wording. You can read their entries at
Merriam-Webster’s “scold” entry
and the
Cambridge Dictionary “scold” entry.

How “Scold” Differs From “Nag” And “Rebuke”

People mix these words, but their feel is not the same.

Nag Vs. Scold

Nag is repeated complaining. It can be low volume and still wear someone down. Scold is more direct. It’s a rebuke tied to a moment, even if it happens more than once.

Rebuke Vs. Scold

Rebuke often sounds formal or biblical. It can carry authority, like a public statement. Scold sounds more like spoken talk in a home, class, or workplace.

Using “Scold” In Sentences Without Sounding Awkward

To use the verb well, keep the sentence tight: who scolded, who got scolded, and why. Then add a detail that shows the mood.

Neutral Past-Tense Sentences

• The coach scolded the team for ignoring the plan.
• My aunt scolded me about leaving the gate open.
• The teacher scolded the class after the test papers went missing.

Sentences That Show Tone

• He scolded her in a low voice, careful not to draw attention.
• She scolded him sharply, then paused and asked what happened.
• They scolded the dog, then pointed to the torn cushion.

Using Scold In A Sentence

If someone asks you to use the word in a sentence, aim for a line that shows correction. Here’s a clean model: “The manager scolded the worker for missing the safety check.”

In a definition-style sentence, you can write: “what is the definition of scold? It means to speak to someone in a stern, disapproving way to correct them.”

When “Scold” Can Sound Old-Fashioned Or Offensive

“Scold” is normal as a verb. The noun a scold, meaning a person who scolds a lot, shows up in older writing. In modern speech it can sound insulting, and it’s often aimed at women in a way that feels unfair.

If you want to describe someone’s habit without that baggage, use phrases like “often complains,” “often criticizes,” or “keeps correcting people.” Those options tell the reader what happens without a label.

Choose The Right Word For The Situation

Picking the best verb is about intent and tone. Use scold when there’s clear disapproval and a push for change.

Use “Scold” When

• Someone speaks sharply to stop a behavior.
• The speaker believes a rule was broken.
• The tone includes anger, sternness, or frustration.

Pick A Different Word When

• The feedback is calm and aimed at improvement: use “advise” or “correct.”
• The main feature is volume: use “shout” or “yell.”
• The main feature is repetition over time: use “nag.”
• The setting is formal, with written consequences: use “reprimand.”

How To Describe Scolding In Stories

In fiction and narrative essays, “scold” works best when the reader can feel the moment. A bare “She scolded him” tells you what happened, but it doesn’t show how it sounded.

Add one small detail that fits the scene. A tightened jaw, a pointed finger, a clipped voice, a pause before the final sentence. These cues let the verb carry its weight without extra drama.

Small Details That Make The Line Clear

• Name the reason in a short phrase: “for skipping practice,” “about the broken vase.”
• Add a manner cue that matches the mood: “quietly,” “through clenched teeth,” “in a stern tone.”
• Show the reaction: a flinch, a quick apology, a stubborn stare, a mumbled excuse.

If you want the scene to feel gentle, pair “scold” with restraint. A short correction, then a shift to the next step: what to do instead, what rule applies, what changes now.

Scold Vs. Correct Vs. Warn

These three verbs can point to the same situation, but they signal different aims.

• Correct fixes an error. It can be neutral and calm.
• Warn points to risk or consequence. It can be firm without blame.
• Scold carries blame or disapproval. It pushes the person to stop a behavior.

Think about what you want to show. If the speaker is teaching, “correct” fits. If the speaker is trying to prevent harm, “warn” fits. If the speaker is upset and calling out a wrong act, “scold” fits.

Quick Practice Lines You Can Rewrite

Try rewriting these plain sentences with clearer tone. Aim for one added detail, not a paragraph.

• Plain: “She scolded him.”
• Rewrite idea: “She scolded him for cutting the line, her voice low but sharp.”
• Plain: “The teacher scolded the student.”
• Rewrite idea: “The teacher scolded the student about the copied homework and asked for an honest redo.”
• Plain: “He scolded the dog.”
• Rewrite idea: “He scolded the dog for chewing the shoe, then moved the shoes to a shelf.”

This kind of practice helps you keep “scold” tied to action and cause. Readers get the scene in one breath.

Quick Word Bank For Writing

These choices can help you match tone. Swap carefully, since each word carries its own feel.

Word	Tone	Best Fit
reprimand	official	Rules, work, school discipline
rebuke	formal	Public correction or moral language
lecture	long, preachy	A drawn-out talk after a mistake
admonish	serious	Warning with authority
chide	mild	Gentle, almost friendly correction
tell off	casual	Daily speech, quick blame
scold	stern	Spoken rebuke meant to change behavior
correct	neutral	Fixing an error without anger
warn	cautioning	Preventing harm or rule breaks
criticize	evaluative	Pointing out flaws, not always heated

If you’re stuck between scold and reprimand, ask who holds power. A parent, coach, or manager may reprimand by rule. A friend can scold in the moment. Match the verb to the relationship, and your sentence will sound natural without sounding too overdone on paper.

One Last Check Before You Write It

When you use scold, make the reason clear. Readers don’t just want the heat; they want the “why.” Add the trigger, then add a small detail that shows tone, like “in a low voice” or “with a frown.”

In exams or quick definitions, keep it short: to scold means to speak sternly to someone because they did something wrong. That line stays clear, natural, and easy to mark.