scalding

adjective

scald·​ing ˈskȯl-diŋ How to pronounce scalding (audio)
1
: hot enough to scald
scalding water
2
a
: having or producing the feeling of being burned
scalding sun
scalding sand
b
: scathing
scalding criticism

Examples of scalding in a Sentence

The men worked in the scalding sun. a scalding bowl of soup
Recent Examples on the Web There is an anti-scalding handle, so your hand is protected and a steam outlet to let off any high pressure steam to protect yourself. Chris Hachey, BGR, 2 Apr. 2021 But Reimann achieves an exemplary balance by alternating his scalding eruptions of vocal power (which in general are sparsely accompanied, sometimes by percussion alone) with full-throttle tutti blasts from the orchestra. Matthew Aucoin, The New York Review of Books, 7 Dec. 2019 Experts generally agree on the same basic steps to reduce risks in your house: Set your water heater no higher than 120 degrees to prevent scalding. Paul L. Underwood, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2020 One man placed in a scalding bath or shower went to the hospital with second-degree burns. Benjamin Weiser, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2020 Two weeks ago, family and friends laid to rest Malachi Lawson, the 4-year-old who was burned in a scalding bath, his body then tossed in a dumpster. Tim Prudente, baltimoresun.com, 26 Aug. 2019 And in 2017, a Manhattan man, 69, ended up in a hospital burn unit with second-degree burns over his entire back, groin, calves and feet; he had been placed in a scalding tub or shower. Benjamin Weiser, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2020 But the Nets bench called timeout with 1.4 seconds left, giving them a chance to get the ball to the scalding-hot LeVert. Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Mar. 2020 The ground in hydrothermal areas is fragile and thin and there is scalding water just below the surface, park officials said. Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scalding.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scalding was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near scalding

Cite this Entry

“Scalding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scalding. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

scalding

adjective
scald·​ing ˈskȯl-diŋ How to pronounce scalding (audio)
1
: causing the sensation of scalding or burning
2
: as hot as if boiling
scalding water
3
: very hot
4

More from Merriam-Webster on scalding

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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