Scolding

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ˈskoʊldɪŋ/

Definitions

1. A severe verbal reprimand often given to someone for a fault or mistake ; the act or process of reprimanding someone firmly
2. A harsh or stern expression of disapproval directed at someone ; the action of scolding or rebuking to correct behavior
3. An intense criticism expressed through words ; the practice of telling someone off in a sharp or angry manner

Etymology: Scolding is one of those words whose history is simply its parts: "scold" with the suffix "-ing" added, and the suffix can be read in more than one way. The verb "scold" is the older of the two, first recorded in Middle English, and it originally meant to rail or quarrel noisily rather than to give a formal telling-off. The "-ing" ending turns the verb into a noun for the act of doing that, so a scolding is literally a bout of scolding. Because the noun and the present participle share the same spelling, the word works in both roles without any change to its form. Its everyday sense, a harsh verbal reprimand, is a narrowing of the older idea of loud, abusive complaint, so the word has kept the tone of its origin while losing some of its noise.

Synonyms: rebuke, reprimand

Antonyms: praise