adj
scalding
Scalding (adj) means Hot enough to burn the skin. Example: “Be careful — the soup is scalding hot.”
adj
1
Hot enough to burn the skin.
"Be careful — the soup is scalding hot."
2
Extremely harsh or critical.
"The critic wrote a scalding review of the new film."
noun
1
A burn caused by hot liquid or steam.
"The child suffered a scalding after pulling a hot cup off the table."
How to use scalding
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes something painfully hot, or a review/criticism that is unusually harsh.
Common pairings
scalding hot
a scalding review
scalding water
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Word forms
- Plural
- scaldings
- Comparative
- more scalding
- Superlative
- most scalding
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Be careful — the soup is _____ hot.
Etymology
From the verb "scald," ultimately tracing back to Latin excaldāre, "to bathe in hot water," from ex- + caldus, "hot."
Rhymes for scalding
See all rhymes for scalding →Frequently asked questions
What does “scalding” mean?
The word “scalding” means hot enough to burn the skin. In plain terms, describes something painfully hot, or a review/criticism that is unusually harsh.
How do you use “scalding” in a sentence?
Here is “scalding” used in a sentence: “Be careful — the soup is scalding hot.”
What part of speech is “scalding”?
Depending on how it is used, “scalding” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “scalding” come from?
The word “scalding” comes from Latin. From the verb "scald," ultimately tracing back to Latin excaldāre, "to bathe in hot water," from ex- + caldus, "hot.".
How many meanings does “scalding” have?
“Scalding” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: hot enough to burn the skin.
