How to pronounce scold
Say it like SKOHLD. Scold is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce scold. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SKOHLD
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Scold pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SKOHLDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of scold
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: SKOHLD.
What does scold mean?
- To rebuke angrily.“I advise that you refrain from using that kind of language at home, lest your mother scold you.”
- Of birds, to make harsh vocalizations in aggression.
- Of birds, to make vocalizations that resemble human scolding.
- A person who habitually scolds, in particular a troublesome and angry woman.
Where does scold come from?
The noun is from Middle English scold(e), skald(e), first attested in the 12th or 13th century (as scold, scolde, skolde, skald).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with scold
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of scold.
Questions about saying scold
How do you pronounce scold?
Say SKOHLD. The American pronunciation is /skoʊld/. In British English it is /skəʊld/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in scold?
Scold is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SKOHLD.
Is scold pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /skəʊld/ (SKOHLD).