scold
gb/skˈoʊld/ us/skˈoʊld/
B2
English
leszid, megszid, zsörtölődő, leszidás, letolás, éles, csattogó hangot ad, riasztó hangot hallat
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
scold [someone] (for [something]/for doing [something])
She scolded him for leaving the door unlocked.
Leszidta, amiért nyitva hagyta az ajtót.
The manager scolded the team for missing the deadline.
A menedzser leszidta a csapatot, amiért nem tartották a határidőt.
Don’t scold the dog—it doesn’t understand what it did.
Learner examples
My mother scolded me for coming home late.
Anyám leszidott, amiért későn értem haza.
The teacher scolded the students.
A tanár leszidta a diákokat.
Common mistake:
Learners often add an unnecessary preposition ("scold at someone"); most commonly it is "scold someone" or "scold someone for ...".
Meaning
reprimand someone angrily
Collocations
scold a child
|scold someone for being late
|scold someone for doing something
|scold someone gently
|scold someone harshly
|scold someone repeatedly
|get scolded
|scolded by a teacher
|scold someone in public
|scold someone in front of others
Synonyms
reprimand (More formal and less emotional than scold.)
|
tell off (More informal; often sharper and more direct.)
|
rebuke (Stronger and more serious; can sound formal.)
|
berate (Harsher and longer; implies sustained criticism.)
Antonyms
praise (To express approval instead of criticism.)
|
commend (To formally express approval.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|relationships
|parenting
|work
Definition
to speak angrily to someone because they did something wrong
To speak to someone angrily and critically because you think they have done something wrong.
NOUN
C1
2
zsörtölődő
B2
Usage pattern:
a scold
He can be a real scold when things aren’t done his way.
Igazi zsörtölődő tud lenni, ha valami nem úgy történik, ahogy ő akarja.
She didn’t want to be seen as a scold, so she chose her words carefully.
Nem akart zsörtölődőnek látszani, ezért gondosan megválogatta a szavait.
Learner examples
He is a scold at work.
A munkahelyén egy igazi zsörtölődő.
Common mistake:
This noun sense is less common than the verb, and it can sound old-fashioned or judgmental; in older usage it was often applied to women.
Meaning
person who scolds often
Collocations
a constant scold
|a terrible scold
|known as a scold
|a neighborhood scold
Synonyms
nag (Emphasizes repeated complaining or reminders.)
|
complainer (Broader; not necessarily angry or directed at someone.)
|
critic (Focuses on negative judgment rather than angry reprimands.)
Antonyms
peacemaker (Someone who calms conflict rather than provoking it.)
|
supporter (Someone who encourages rather than criticizes.)
Themes
people
|personality
|relationships
Definition
a person who often scolds or complains
A person who habitually scolds or complains at others; a nagging, critical person.
NOUN
C1
3
Usage pattern:
give [someone] a scold
He expected a scold, but she just laughed it off.
Leszidásra számított, de ő csak elnevette a dolgot.
I got a scold for forgetting to call.
Leszidást kaptam, amiért elfelejtettem telefonálni.
Learner examples
I got a scold for being late.
Leszidást kaptam, amiért elkéstem.
Common mistake:
This noun sense exists but is less common than "a scolding" or "a telling-off".
Meaning
an angry telling-off
Collocations
give someone a scold
|get a scold
|a quick scold
|a sharp scold
Synonyms
reprimand (More formal; often used in workplaces.)
|
telling-off (More informal and common in everyday speech.)
|
scolding (The more usual noun form for the event.)
Antonyms
compliment (A positive remark instead of criticism.)
|
approval (A positive evaluation rather than a reprimand.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|daily_life
Definition
an angry talk that tells someone they did wrong
An occasion or instance of scolding; a sharp reprimand.
VERB
C1
4
Usage pattern:
[animal] scolds (at/from [place])
A blue jay scolded from the oak tree when the cat appeared.
A kék szajkó a tölgyfáról riasztó hangot hallatott, amikor megjelent a macska.
The squirrels scolded loudly as we walked past.
A mókusok hangosan éles, csattogó hangot adtak, ahogy elmentünk mellettük.
Learner examples
A bird scolded in the tree.
A madár a fán éles, csattogó hangot adott.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse this with the common human meaning (to criticize someone); here the subject is usually an animal.
Meaning
make harsh warning calls
Collocations
birds scold
|a jay scolded
|a squirrel scolded from a tree
|scold from the bushes
|scold loudly
Synonyms
chatter (More general; not necessarily angry or warning.)
|
screech (Usually louder and higher-pitched than scold.)
|
chirp (Usually lighter and more pleasant than scold.)
Antonyms
sing (Birdsong is melodic rather than harsh or warning.)
Themes
nature
|animals
Definition
when a bird or animal makes an angry sound
To make sharp, chattering cries, especially said of birds or small animals when alarmed or annoyed.
Grammar
Dictionary form
scold
IPA
GB/skˈoʊld/
US/skˈoʊld/
Syllables & stress
scold (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (scold)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: scold
- Plural: scolds
Verb
- Base: scold
- 3rd Person Singular: scolds
- Present Participle: scolding
- Past: scolded
Expressions
scold someone for something
1/skˈoʊld sˈʌmwˌʌn fɚ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
reprimand about a specific thing
to scold someone because they did something
Examples
- She scolded him for interrupting.
- He got scolded for forgetting the keys.
- The coach scolded the players for not listening.
Learner examples
- My dad scolded me for breaking the cup.
scold someone into doing something
1/skˈoʊld sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈɪntu dˈuɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
push someone by scolding
to try to make someone do something by scolding
Examples
- You can’t scold people into caring about the project.
- He thought he could scold his kids into cleaning their room.
Learner examples
- You cannot scold me into changing my mind.
scold someone out of doing something
1/skˈoʊld sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈaʊt əv dˈuɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
stop behavior by scolding
to try to stop someone doing something by scolding
Examples
- I tried to scold him out of skipping class, but it didn’t work.
- You won’t scold her out of feeling upset—listen first.
Learner examples
- She scolded him out of lying.