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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
These expansion percentages are exceptionally high and bode well for the future of material handling new orders in the year ahead. Jason Schenker, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025 Her de facto coach for that weekend will be the British team captain, Anne Keothavong, who, via the U.K. Lawn Tennis Association, told reporters that Raducanu had shown a combination of competitiveness and freedom against Pegula that bodes well for the rest of her season. Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 The class includes three McDonalds All-Americans in five-star Braylon Mullins and Darius Adams, both bigger guards that should bode well for the Huskies’ offense, and multiskilled 7-footer Eric Reibe. Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 28 Mar. 2025 That doesn’t bode well for defenders of Biden’s crackdown — though, a word of caution: This is not a hard rule, and is sometimes not followed. Ella Lee, The Hill, 26 Mar. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bode. Accessed 8 Apr. 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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