Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus
1

scald

verb \ ˈskȯld \

Definition of scald

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

See scald defined for English-language learners

See scald defined for kids

Examples of scald in a Sentence

  1. The steam scalded his skin.

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

Origin and Etymology of scald

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

2

scald

noun

Definition of scald

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

See scald defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of scald

1601

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler
3

scald

adjective

Definition of scald

1 archaic : scabby, scurfy
2 archaic : shabby, contemptible

Origin and Etymology of scald

scall + 1-ed

4

scald

noun

variant spelling of

: an ancient Scandinavian poet; broadly : bard
5

scald

adjective \ ˈskȯld \

Definition of scald

: subjected to scalding
  • coffee … with scald cream
  • —Charles Kingsley

Origin and Etymology of scald

alteration of scalded

SCALD Defined for English Language Learners

scald

verb

Definition of scald for English Language Learners

  • : to burn (someone or something) with hot liquid or steam

  • : to put (something) in hot liquid or steam for a brief time

  • : to heat (a liquid) until it is very hot but not boiling

scald

noun

Definition of scald for English Language Learners

  • : a burn left on the skin that is caused by hot liquid or steam

SCALD Defined for Kids

1

scald

verb \ ˈskȯld \

Definition of scald for Students

scalded; scalding
1 : to burn with or as if with hot liquid or steam
2 : to bring to a temperature just below the boiling point
  • scald milk
2

scald

noun

Definition of scald for Students

: an injury caused by burning with hot liquid or steam

Medical Dictionary

1

scald

transitive verb \ ˈskȯld \

medical Definition of scald

: to burn with hot liquid or steam
2

scald

noun

medical Definition of scald

: an injury to the body caused by scalding

Learn More about scald

  1. See words that rhyme with scald Spanish Central: Translation of scald Nglish: Translation of scald for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of scald for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scald

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up scald? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

nonchalant

play

having an air of easy unconcern

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  2. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  3. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  4. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

  5. emolument 'the returns arising from office or employment usually in the form of compensation or perquisites'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

scald

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

  • rubens-painting
  • Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games