What does scalded mean?
The word “scalded” describes an injury or burn caused by contact with very hot liquid or steam. It is the past tense and past participle of “scald,” as in “she scalded her fingers” or “her hand was scalded.” The usual implication is that hot water, oil, soup, or steam came into direct contact with the affected skin. Although “burn” is broader and can describe injury from fire, intense heat, friction, chemicals, or electricity, “scalded” specifically identifies a burn caused by hot fluid or vapor. The term commonly occurs in descriptions of household accidents, cooking, restaurants, and industrial safety. Its force comes from making the cause of the injury unmistakable: the affected person has been burned by something hot enough to injure the skin, often immediately and severely.
verbBurned or injured by contact with very hot liquid or steam. It is also the past participle of the verb “scald.”
- Burned or injured by contact with very hot liquid or steam.
"She scalded her hand while pouring boiling water into the mug."
"He scalded himself on the kettle while making tea."
"The restaurant warned diners that the soup was hot enough to scald anyone who touched the container."
Steam can cause burns deeper than boiling water because its moisture condenses on the skin and releases additional heat.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scalded come from?
The word descends through Middle English from an older English vocabulary associated with heat and burning, with influences from continental sources. It earlier had senses connected with heating or boiling before developing the familiar modern meaning of injuring with hot liquid or steam. Its history is associated with the same broad Latin and Germanic word-family connected with heat.
Related word forms
How scalded is actually used
This form is chiefly used as the past tense and past participle of “scald.” It is standard in both British and American English.