adj, noun, verb ·2 syllables ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   An instance of scalding: a burn.
2. 2
   Synonym of escaline, (particularly) the form circulated by Stephen de Fulbourn in Ireland as a debased form of the sterling silver penny, outlawed under Edward I of England. historical

Verb

1. 1
   present participle and gerund of scald form-of, gerund, participle, present

Adjective

1. 1
   Hot enough to burn.
2. 2
   Scorching; scathing. figuratively

   "a scalding attack on his critics"

Synonyms

All synonyms

ardentbakingblisteringboilingbroilingburning

Antonyms

All antonyms

cold

Example

More examples

"Sherman said the coffee was hot but not scalding."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From scald + -ing.

Etymology 2

From Old French escalin, from Middle Dutch schelling (“shilling”). Doublet of shilling.

Related phrases

scalding hotedward i

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.