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

Over the past two years, attorneys for Meija have argued in post-conviction hearings that prosecutors introduced false and misleading testimony at trial and newly available scientific methods proved that Casiaono, who was submerged in a bathtub full of scalding water, died by accident. —Tony Plohetski, Austin American Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026

Knausgaard’s narcissism—let’s face it, a common trait in authors—steered him into a creative writing course taught by none other than eventual Nobel winner Jon Fosse, who delivered a scalding workshop critique that echoes in The School of Night. —Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026

Noun

Place one-half cup cream in a sauce pot and bring up to a scald. —Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Jan. 2026

This tent can double as a heat protector when summer temperatures soar into the 90s and the foliage and bark of many plants, especially tropicals, are susceptible to heat scald. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 21 Nov. 2025

Adjective

Seven steam nozzles run through the brush head to ensure each section gets an even hit of vapor, and the anti-scald design keeps strands away from direct heat, shielding them from unnecessary damage—especially at higher temps. —Lily Wohlner, Allure, 19 Nov. 2025

Several comics made light of high-risk behavior with flames, scald injury, contact injury, or burns. —Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019

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

Rhymes for scald

• auld
• bald
• balled
• bawled
• called
• crawled
• drawled
• galled
• hauled
• lolled
• mauled
• palled

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