bode

¹

[ bohd ]

verb (used with object)

, bod·ed, bod·ing.

1. to be an omen of; portend:

   The news bodes evil days for him.

2. Archaic. to announce beforehand; predict.

verb (used without object)

, bod·ed, bod·ing.

1. to portend:

   The news bodes well for him.

bode

²

[ bohd ]

verb

1. a simple past tense of bide.

bode

¹

/ bəʊd /

verb

1. the past tense of bide

bode

²

/ bəʊd /

verb

1. to be an omen of (good or ill, esp of ill); portend; presage
2. archaic.
   tr to predict; foretell

Derived Forms

• ˈboding, nounadjective
• ˈbodement, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bode¹

before 1000; Middle English boden, Old English bodian to announce, foretell (cognate with Old Norse botha ), derivative of boda messenger, cognate with German Bote, Old Norse bothi

Word History and Origins

Origin of bode¹

Old English bodian ; related to Old Norse botha to proclaim, Old Frisian bodia to invite

Example Sentences

The November snow bodes well for the early ski season.

From Los Angeles Times

All this bodes for a busy and possibly turbulent next two years.

From BBC

Does that bode well for mass-appeal contenders aiming to follow in Nolan’s footsteps this season, or will voters again choose a film with lower earnings at multiplexes?

From Los Angeles Times

What also bodes well for the Reds is the similarity between this season and 2019-20 - when they won the Premier League.

From BBC

While his introduction was too late to influence the outcome of the match, it bodes well for the midfielder being more involved in Sunday's crucial Premier League game with Chelsea.

From BBC