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

That does not bode well for sales of the company's products like tools, appliances and different building materials. —Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 25 June 2025

And that does not bode well in the short or long term. —Ilan Goldenberg, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2025

Analysts noted Wednesday that the May drop in starts was concentrated in multifamily construction, which does not bode well for the affordable housing shortage. —Tobias Burns, The Hill, 18 June 2025

That age and experience across their ranks should bode well for England here, though. —Art De Roché, New York Times, 13 June 2025

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