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

see also:

bode ill bode well

bode

2 of 2

past tense of bide

Synonyms of bode

Verb

• promise
• forebode

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

That bodes well for the Shakespearean drama. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 19 Feb. 2026

This did not bode well for the show’s pre-Valentine’s Day premiere, and since the first three episodes dropped last Thursday, official reviews of the show have been negative, if perhaps a bit overblown. —Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026

The run game took off, and Ken Walker III played the best football of his career late in the season, which bodes well for the future if Seattle re-signs the Super Bowl MVP, whose contract officially expires in March. —Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026

Lance Oedekerk Upland With the return of Austin Reaves, the Lakers are back to their three scoring leaders, who can’t play defense, which doesn’t bode well for the Lakers’ playoff chances. —Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for bode

• blowed
• code
• crowed
• flowed
• glowed
• goad
• growed
• knowed
• load
• lode
• lowed
• mode

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