scald

1 of 5

verb

ˈskȯld 

scalded; scalding; scalds

transitive verb

1

: to burn with or as if with hot liquid or steam

2

a

: to subject to the action of boiling water or steam

b

: to bring to a temperature just below the boiling point

scald milk

3

: scorch

intransitive verb

1

: to scald something

2

: to become scalded

scald

2 of 5

noun (1)

1

: an injury to the body caused by scalding

2

: an act or process of scalding

3

: any of various conditions or diseases of plants or fruits marked especially by a usually brownish discoloration of tissue

scald

3 of 5

adjective (1)

1

archaic : scabby, scurfy

2

archaic : shabby, contemptible

scald

4 of 5

noun (2)

variant spelling of skald

: an ancient Scandinavian poet

broadly : bard

scald

5 of 5

adjective (2)

ˈskȯld 

: subjected to scalding

coffee … with scald cream

—Charles Kingsley

Examples of scald in a Sentence

Verb

The steam scalded his skin.

Scald the tomatoes in boiling water so that you can peel them more easily.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But in a twist, his former chief of staff John F. Kelly unleashed a scalding critique of his former boss that suddenly reversed Kamala Harris’ month-long descent. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2024

Sykes allegedly advised the child through gaming platform Roblox on various methods of harming the child, including drowning the infant in the bathtub, burning the baby with scalding water and dropping them on the floor, per the statement. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024

On July 23, 2024 at around 10 a.m. local time, there was an eruption of scalding water, steam, and debris that left onlookers running—but thankfully, there were no injuries reported. —Sunset Story Lab, Sunset Magazine, 23 July 2024

But these pools of scalding water are not the only dangers lurking in the park — bears have killed at least eight park visitors and more than 100 people have perished in Yellowstone’s lakes and rivers, according to park data. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French *escalder, eschauder, from Late Latin excaldare to wash in warm water, from Latin ex- + calida, calda warm water, from feminine of calidus warm, from calēre to be warm — more at lee

Adjective (1)

scall + -ed entry 1

Adjective (2)

alteration of scalded

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (1)

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

1791, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

scald

1 of 2 verb

ˈskȯld 

1

: to burn with or as if with hot liquid or steam

2

a

: to cover with boiling water or steam

b

: to bring to a temperature just below the boiling point

scald milk

3

: scorch entry 1 sense 1

scald

2 of 2 noun

: an injury to the body caused by scalding

Medical Definition

scald

1 of 2 transitive verb

ˈskȯld 

: to burn with hot liquid or steam

scald

2 of 2 noun

: an injury to the body caused by scalding