bode

verb \ ˈbōd \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

Examples: bode in a Sentence

Definition of bode

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 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

See bode defined for English-language learners

See bode defined for kids

Examples of bode in a Sentence

This could bode disaster for all involved.
her natural gift for reading boded well for her future in school

Recent Examples of bode from the Web

So that, again, wouldn't seem to bode well for the assemblage of a proper supporting cast for James, but, as many have speculated, Ball may not be long for the roster.

— des bieler, chicagotribune.com, "Is LeBron James aware the Lakers added Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson and JaVale McGee?," 3 July 2018
The idea that someone with Matt’s skills was scrounging to develop tools that could mean life or death for soldiers hardly boded well for her program.

— issie lapowsky, WIRED, "The Pentagon Is Building a Dream Team of Tech-Savvy Soldiers," 2 July 2018
Telemundo Deportes passed 1 million concurrent streams for the 0-3 defeat at Sweden’s hands, boding well for both Nielsen delivery and Mexico’s upcoming showing in the Round of 16.

— michael o'connell, The Hollywood Reporter, "World Cup Ratings: 1 Million Just Streamed Mexico’s Loss," 27 June 2018
But finishing runner-up seems to bode well of late.

— drew davison, star-telegram, "U.S. Open: It's been 55 years and counting since Colonial winner won," 17 June 2018
But Fedora’s team believes the adversity his team faced should bode well for its future.

— safid deen, OrlandoSentinel.com, "North Carolina aims to rebound from rough year, is No. 71 in 2018 preseason college football rankings," 17 June 2018
Still, the progress in the Zervos case so far likely bodes well for the new case against the foundation moving forward.

— tessa berenson, Time, "Two Major Lawsuits Facing President Trump Hinge on This Constitutional Question," 14 June 2018
That might not seem to bode well for the Blue Jays, who have trailed at halftime in six of their past nine games.

— edward lee, baltimoresun.com, "Johns Hopkins vs. Duke men’s lacrosse: Three things to watch," 20 May 2018
That perspective could bode well for the defendant in another pending Supreme Court ruling.

— matt ford, The New Republic, "The Supreme Court’s Wayfair ruling is big for state budgets, bad for e-commerce companies.," 21 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bode.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of bode

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

bode Synonyms

Synonyms

augur, forebode (also forbode), promise;

forewarn, warn;

anticipate, divine, foreknow, foresee;

betoken, foreshadow, harbinger, portend, prefigure, presignify;

indicate, signify;

allude, connote, hint, imply, insinuate, intimate, suggest;

Phrases

bid fair;

bode

Definition of bode

past tense of bide

BODE Defined for English Language Learners

bode

verb

Definition of bode for English Language Learners

: to be a sign of (a future event or situation)

BODE Defined for Kids

bode

verb \ ˈbōd \

Definition of bode for Students

boded; boding

: to be a sign of (a future event)

This could bode difficulty for all of us.

bode

Definition of bode for Students

past tense of bide

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