bode

1 of 2

verb

ˈbōd 

boded; boding

transitive verb

1

: to indicate (something, such as a future event) by signs : presage

bode disaster

recent data that bodes well for her reelection

2

archaic : to announce beforehand : foretell

bode

2 of 2

past tense of bide

Phrases

bode ill

: to show or suggest that future developments or events will be unfavorable or unwelcome : to be a sign of trouble to come

Any further diminishing of the species' gene pool can only bode ill for the future.

—John Hew Fanshawe

bode well

: to show or suggest that future developments or events will be good or favorable : to be a sign of good things to come

… the news … does not bode well for our future standard of living.

—Lester C. Thurow

Synonyms

Verb

• augur
• forebode
• forbode
• promise

Examples of bode in a Sentence

Verb

This could bode disaster for all involved.

her natural gift for reading boded well for her future in school

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Making such a strong playoff push late in Caitlin Clark's rookie season also bodes well for the future of the franchise. —Justin L. MacK, Axios, 3 Sep. 2024

Stifel analyst Dae Gon Ha wrote that Alnylam’s results bode well for Intellia, due to similarities in the approaches that aim to stop production of the TTR protein. —Elaine Chen, STAT, 26 June 2024

Although more-than-estimated capacity could shave off one or two days of backlog, the general trend doesn’t bode well for a strike that lasts more than a few days, Murphy pointed out. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 15 Aug. 2024

For Supervisor Steve Taylor, the county's current fiscal situation doesn't bode well for the upcoming budget season this fall or for the next few years. —Vanessa Swales, Journal Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English bodian; akin to Old English bēodan to proclaim — more at bid entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing bode

• bode ill
• bode well

Kids Definition

bode

1 of 2 verb

ˈbōd 

boded; boding

: to indicate (as a future event) by signs : foreshadow

bode

2 of 2

past of bide