To chide means to scold someone gently or express mild disapproval about something they've done. When your mom chides you for leaving your backpack in the hallway again, she's not yelling or angry, but she's letting you know you need to do better. A teacher might chide a student who keeps forgetting to bring a pencil to class, speaking firmly but kindly.

The word suggests criticism that's meant to correct rather than punish. It's the difference between a harsh lecture and a gentle reminder that you can do better. A coach might chide players for losing focus during practice, not to make them feel terrible, but to get them back on track.

You might hear someone say they were chided for arriving late, or that a parent chided them for poor table manners. The correction stings a little, like it's supposed to, but it doesn't crush your spirit. Chiding acknowledges that you made a mistake while assuming you're capable of fixing it. When someone chides you, they believe you can improve.