What does berate mean?
Berate is a formal verb meaning to scold or rebuke someone angrily and at length. It implies more than a brief reprimand: to berate is to deliver a sustained, heated stream of criticism, often in front of others. The word frequently appears with the person being scolded as a direct object followed by the reason, as in 'he was berated for his negligence,' and it is also commonly used reflexively, as when someone berates themselves over a mistake, indicating harsh inward self-criticism rather than spoken abuse. Its connotations are strongly negative, suggesting anger, authority, and a certain loss of composure on the part of the critic. Berate derives from the prefix 'be-' combined with the older verb 'rate,' itself meaning to scold, giving it a long pedigree in English dating back to the early seventeenth century. It remains a precise and vivid choice for writers who want to convey severe verbal criticism without resorting to slang or understatement.
verbTo scold or criticize someone angrily and at length.
- To scold or criticize someone angrily and at length.
"The coach berated the players for their careless performance in the first half."
"The manager berated the staff for missing the deadline."
"She berated herself for weeks over the careless mistake."
'Berate' contains a hidden fossil: its second syllable comes from an old English word 'rate' meaning to scold — so every time you say it, you're saying 'scold' twice.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of berate
Berate was formed in English in the early seventeenth century from the prefix 'be-' added to the verb 'rate,' an older word meaning to scold or chide, which came into Middle English from Old French. The prefix intensifies the base verb, so 'berate' originally carried the force of scolding thoroughly or severely. Its closest relative is the now largely archaic verb 'rate' in that same scolding sense.
How berate is actually used
Formal to neutral in register; stronger and more sustained than a simple telling-off. Often used reflexively ('berate oneself') for harsh self-criticism.
Easily confused with berate
A beret is a soft round cap, whereas 'berate' is a verb meaning to scold someone angrily.