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

• 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

And this does bode well for interior roominess, which is quite accommodating up front for a variety of heights and body types—plus tremendously comfortable standard sport bucket seats with excellent bolstering. —Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025

The Army’s recent track record didn’t bode well for those positioned under the flight path. —Seth Harp, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025

This stat certainly doesn't bode well for a Dolphins team that is desperately looking for answers after a rough start to the 2025 season. —Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025

That bodes particularly well for CrowdStrike, according to analysts at Wells Fargo. —Paulina Likos, CNBC, 17 Sep. 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