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

Three threes in a row don’t bode well. —Agnieszka Szpila, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

That would seem to bode well for him with the Masters next on the horizon. —ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026

Apple is leaning into partnerships rather than going fully in-house on frontier model development, which bodes well for cash flow moving forward. —Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026

His strength is run blocking, which would bode well for what Houston is trying to do offensively as the Texans try to improve their run game. —Jonathan M. Alexander, Houston Chronicle, 23 Mar. 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

Phrases Containing bode

• bode ill
• bode well

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