scold

Everyday

1. To scold someone is to speak to them angrily because they have done something wrong. tree →
2. A scolding is an angry telling-off. tree →
3. (old-fashioned) A scold was a person, especially a woman, who often nagged or complained. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and stories, parents and teachers scold children for being naughty; it tells the reader someone is in trouble but not punished harshly. In the UK people more often say "tell off", in Australia "growl at". Phrases: "scold someone for", "get a scolding", "a good scolding".

Examples

• Mum scolded me for leaving my muddy boots on the carpet. tree →
• The teacher scolded the boys for running in the corridor. tree →
• I got a scolding for being late home. tree →
• The farmer scolded the dog for chasing the sheep. tree →
• "You should know better!" scolded Grandma. tree →
• (Australia, informal) Dad growled at us — he really scolded us for fighting. tree →
• The woman scolded the old man. tree →

Note

Regular verb: scolded. Pattern: "scold someone for doing something". Everyday synonyms: tell off (UK), give out to (Ireland, informal: "Mam gave out to me"), chew out (US, informal). It is milder than punish: scolding is only words.