reprimand

Everyday

1. (formal) To reprimand someone is to tell them off officially for doing something wrong. tree →
2. A reprimand is a formal telling-off. tree →

In the lessons

In school stories children are reprimanded by the head teacher; in work life employees get a reprimand. It sounds stiff; in everyday talk «tell off», «get told off», «get into trouble». Phrases: «a stern reprimand», «be reprimanded for».

Examples

• The boy was reprimanded for running in the corridor. tree →
• The head teacher gave them a stern reprimand. tree →
• The referee reprimanded the player for kicking. tree →
• She was reprimanded for being late three times. tree →
• The officer received a written reprimand. tree →
• Mum reprimanded us for leaving the gate open. tree →
• Whenever the old man had occasion to reprimand the little boy--and the occasions were frequent--he would relapse into a dignified but stubborn silence. tree →

Note

Stress on the first syllable: REP-ri-mand. Same form for verb and noun. A reprimand is a warning, weaker than a punishment like detention.