chide - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
chide Word Meanings
- to scold or reprimand someone mildly
- to express disapproval or annoyance
- to criticize gently
chide Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
chide Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/tʃaɪd/
US
/tʃaɪd/
chide Word Etymology
Root decomposition: 'chid' (past tense of chide); Historical origin: Old English 'cīde' -> Middle English 'chiden' -> Modern English 'chide'; Memory image: Imagine a parent gently scolding their child with a soft voice, showing caring intent while correcting behavior.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Chide means to scold or reprimand someone mildly, often to correct a behavior rather than to punish. It implies disapproval delivered in a gentle, controlled tone and is common in parenting, teaching, or formal settings where the goal is guidance rather than anger. You might chide a friend for lateness, a colleague for carelessness, or a child for interrupting. The verb carries a sense of concern and intention to help the other improve, not to humiliate. It sits between praise and harsh rebuke in intensity, and its past tense is chided in narration.
Usage Reminders
- Chide conveys mild disapproval, not anger.
- Don't confuse with scold or reprimand; intensity differs.
- Always consider tone and context.
- Common pattern: chide sb for doing sth.
- Past tense: chided.
Common Misconceptions
- Chide is the same as scold or rebuke and always implies anger.
- Chide can be used for a severe punishment.
- It is a very common, everyday verb in casual speech.
- Chide always refers to adults scolding children only.
- Chide implies public shaming.
Thinking Differences
Think of chide as a formal, mild reprimand; learners often over- or under-shoot the tone, confusing it with scolding or praise. The concept in English hinges on controlled disapproval aimed at guidance rather than punishment.
Learning Tips
- Pair chide with a specific behavior, not a person.
- Notice the tone: mild, not shouting.
- Use in appropriate contexts (family, school, formal settings).
- Compare with rebuke, reprimand, and scold to sense intensity.
- Remember past tense: chided; practice with 'chide sb for doing sth'.
- Read or hear literary or formal examples to recognize the nuance.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What does the word 'chide' mean?
A.To scold or reprimand someone
B.To encourage someone
C.To laugh at someone
D.To ignore someone's mistakes
Step 2: Usage
Choose the sentence that uses 'chide' correctly:
A.They watched a movie to chide the evening away.
B.He decided to chide his dessert after dinner.
C.She tried to chide him for forgetting her birthday.
D.I want to chide her beautiful dress.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'chide'?
A.Reprimand
B.Praise
C.Ignore
D.Accept
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'chide'?
A.Scold
B.Encourage
C.Criticize
D.Punish
Step 5: Mastery
Can you describe a situation where someone might feel the need to chide another person?
A.A teacher explaining a mistake in homework.
B.A mother praising her child for good behavior.
C.Friends laughing together at a café.
D.A coach cheering on his team during a game.
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