Meaning & use
scolded
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“scolded” is a form of “scold”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
verbtransitive
Past form of scold: told someone off angrily because of something they did wrong.
Grammar: Takes an object: she scolded the boy.
Patterns
- scold someone for something
- scold someone for doing something
Her mother scolded her for leaving muddy shoes in the hall.
The coach scolded the team for arriving late.
He felt scolded after the manager's sharp email.
Word forms
| base form | scold |
|---|---|
| third person singular | scolds |
| -ing form | scolding |
Common combinations
- scolded for being late
- The students were scolded for being late again.
- scolded harshly
- The puppy was scolded harshly for chewing the sofa.
- scolded like a child
- He felt scolded like a child in front of everyone.
- gently scolded
- She gently scolded him for forgetting the key.
- scolded by a teacher
- I was scolded by a teacher for talking in class.
Synonyms and how they differ
- reprimanded
- Reprimanded is more formal and often official, as when a boss corrects an employee.
- told off
- Told off is an informal British phrasal verb, a little milder than scolded.
- rebuked
- Rebuked is formal and stresses sharp disapproval, usually in serious settings.
- chided
- Chided is gentler and slightly old-fashioned, suggesting mild criticism.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: scolded or scalded?
scolded vs scalded
Scalded means burned by hot liquid or steam; scolded means told off. They sound almost the same.
Practice
The teacher ____ the boys for running in the corridor.
Choose one answer.
Scolded means told off angrily, which fits the rule-breaking. Scalded is a sound-alike meaning burned by hot liquid.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “scolded”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.