English Lexicon

Scold

/skoʊld/
verbnounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #8500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As verb
  1. 1

    To remonstrate with or rebuke someone angrily and at length.

    "She began to scold her son for tracking mud across the newly cleaned floor."
As noun
  1. 1

    A person who is given to habitual complaining or angry fault-finding.

    "Historically, a notorious scold might face public humiliation in the village square."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from Middle English 'scold' (noun and verb), originating around the 13th century from Old Norse 'skáld' (a poet or satirist), shifting in meaning from a mocking poet to a troublesome, nagging person who uses harsh language.

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