# scalding vs scolding

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### scalding
*adjective · frequency rank #46,758*
Hot enough to burn.

### scolding
*noun · IPA /ˈskoʊldɪŋ/ · frequency rank #35,500*
An unloving succession of critical remarks, such as those directed by a parent towards a misbehaving child; an earful; dressing down.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scalding-vs-scolding