Meaning & use
scalding temperature
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable or uncountable
A temperature at which a liquid is hot enough to burn skin, usually just below boiling.
Grammar: Often used with 'at' or 'reach': at scalding temperature, reach scalding temperature.
Patterns
- at scalding temperature
- reach scalding temperature
- bring something to scalding temperature
The nurse checked that the water was not at scalding temperature before bathing the patient.
Milk should be heated to scalding temperature, but not boiled, for this recipe.
Common combinations
- at scalding temperature
- The coffee was served at scalding temperature and burned my tongue.
- reach scalding temperature
- The water in the pot quickly reached scalding temperature.
- scalding hot
- Be careful—the soup is scalding hot.
- scalding water
- She accidentally poured scalding water on her hand.
Synonyms and how they differ
- boiling
- 'Boiling' means at 100°C (212°F) and bubbling; 'scalding' is slightly cooler but still dangerous.
- piping hot
- 'Piping hot' describes food or drink that is very hot but not necessarily burning; 'scalding' implies a risk of burns.
Opposites
Word family
- scald verb
- To burn with hot liquid or steam.
- scalding adjective
- Extremely hot; capable of causing burns.
Commonly confused: scalding temperature or scorching?
scalding temperature vs scorching
'Scorching' usually describes very hot weather or surfaces, while 'scalding' is mainly for liquids or steam that can burn.
Practice
The water was at scalding temperature, so I ___.
Choose one answer.
'Scalding temperature' means hot enough to burn, so you should let it cool. The other options would risk injury or are illogical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “scalding temperature”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.