bode

1 of 2

verb

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

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
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Verb
That doesn't bode well for aging stars who are looking to score one last huge payday, as Butler may soon discover. Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025 Now, as the longtime cornerstone of live linear television makes its impressive livestreaming debut, that does not bode well for broadcast and cable — which have clung to the notion that their skill in presenting live events gives them a leg up over the streamers. Joe Otterson, Variety, 8 Jan. 2025 But the culture that is being established is something that bodes well for future Jazz teams and the players from this current team that will be on it. Tony Jones, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025 But even that was rushed, and the fact that Fox skipped over multiple episodes to give this one to critics as a showcase doesn’t bode well. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for bode 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of bode was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near bode

Cite this Entry

“Bode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bode. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

bode

1 of 2 verb
boded; boding
: to indicate (as a future event) by signs : foreshadow

bode

2 of 2

past of bide

More from Merriam-Webster on bode

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