bode

verb

\ ˈbōd

boded; boding

Definition of bode

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

bode

Definition of bode (Entry 2 of 2)

past tense of bide

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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

History bodes well for stocks in April, a bullish sign for investors as major averages inch toward record highs. — Jessica Menton, WSJ, "Calendar Flipping to April Typically Bodes Well for Stocks," 2 Apr. 2019 Capricorns are usually smart, loyal, and disciplined, so that bodes well for Hannah! — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Who Is Jed Wyatt, Hannah's 'Bachelorette' Contestant and Fellow Southerner?," 29 Mar. 2019 Neither mattered to Washington, which should bode well for them in a series where Vegas holds home-ice advantage. — Adam Candee, Detroit Free Press, "Vegas Golden Knights clip Washington Capitals, 6-4, in Game 1 thriller," 29 May 2018 Cinemascore, and robust opening-night box office numbers bode well for continued interest in a Crazy Rich Asians film franchise. — Aja Romano, Vox, "Crazy Rich Asians’ mid-credits scene is brief, but very revealing," 18 Aug. 2018 None of that bodes well for either of the two women that claim to be making these allegations or the veracity of them. — Fox News, "Daines slams Dems' 'desperation tactics' against Kavanaugh," 24 Sep. 2018 That bodes ill for future East-West relations the world over, no matter what margin Putin wins by. — Stefan Wolff, Washington Post, "Remember the Cold War? Putin has brought it back.," 19 Mar. 2018 Newly released State Department data likewise showed a decline in the number of new student visas awarded in the fiscal year ending in September 2017, which bodes ill for enrollment this year. — Anchorage Daily News, "Trump is bent on destroying one of our winningest exports," 21 Mar. 2018 The evening also offered a preview of things to come: Gemma Chan’s ruffled Oscar de la Renta is part of the Fall 2019 collection and its unapologetic prettiness bodes well for the brand’s show at New York Fashion Week next month. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "SAG Awards 2019: The Best Dressed Celebrities on the Red Carpet," 28 Jan. 2019

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.