bode

B3O1D2E1
UK/bəʊd/US/boʊd/

verb

Of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); to portend.

Similar
betokenaugurpresageanticipatecalldivineforecastforedeem
OriginMiddle English boden ← Old English bodian ← Proto-West Germanic *bodōn →
Less commonScrabble 7
Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

bode1

verbbode (third-person singular simple present bodes, present participle boding, simple past and past participle boded)

present singular third person bodes · participle present boding · participle past boded · past boded · first person past singular boded · archaic present second person singular bodest · past second person singular boded · archaic past second person singular bodedst · present singular third person bodes · archaic present singular third person bodeth · past singular third person boded · past plural boded · past subjunctive boded · participle present boding · participle past boded

  1. transitiveOf a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); to portend.

    But so much haste bodes / Right little speed, and— […]

    1823, Lord Byron, “Werner; or, The Inheritance”, in Werner, a Tragedy, London: John Murray, […], →OCLC, Act II, scene i, page 60
    3 more examples

    But in the thought and ſcope of my opinion, / This bodes ſome ſtrange eruption to the ſtate.

    c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shake-speare, The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke: […] (First Quarto), London: […] [Valentine Simmes] for N[icholas] L[ing] and Iohn Trundell, published 1603, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i], signature B2, recto

    O heauen; O earth, beare vvitness to this ſound, / And crovvne vvhat I profeſſe vvith kinde euent / If I ſpeake true: If hollovvly inuert / VVhat beſt is boaded me, to miſchiefe: I, / Beyond all limit of vvhat elſe i'th vvorld, / Do loue, prize, honor you.

    1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i], page 11, column 1

    It bodeth evil for Atlantis that I come back with my spirit sore to find Oltis stepping into the place of high priest.

    1892, Elizabeth G[reen Davey] Birkmaier, “The Pelasgian Captives”, in Poseidon’s Paradise: The Romance of Atlantis, San Francisco, Calif.: The Clemens Publishing Co. […], →OCLC, page 43

    Synonyms: betoken

  2. archaictransitiveTo declare (something, such as a future event) before it occurs; to foretell, to predict; specifically, to predict (something undesirable); to forebode.

    There are croakers in every country, always boding its ruin.

    1771–1790, Benjamin Franklin, “The Autobiography [Part 1]”, in John Bigelow, editor, Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. […], Philadelphia, Pa.: J[oshua] B[allinger] Lippincott & Co., published 1868, →OCLC, page 167
    4 more examples

    Augur accurſt! denouncing Miſchief ſtill, / Prophet of Plagues, for ever boding Ill!

    1715, Homer, “Book I”, in Alexander Pope, transl., The Iliad of Homer, volume I, London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintott […], →OCLC, page 7, lines 131–132

    Forgive my Impatience: But my preſaging Mind bodes horrid Miſchiefs!

    1741, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter XLI”, in Pamela: Or, Virtue Rewarded. […], 3rd edition, volume I, London: […] C[harles] Rivington, […]; and J. Osborn, […], →OCLC, page 208

    Thou bodedst thence, long erst, the Church's fall,— / Allowing but the span of human life, / Till that should come, which would be little joy / To those who should behold her desolate.

    1845, “Book III”, in The Vicarage, London: F[rancis] and J[ohn] Rivington […], page 65

    Therewith flew another crow over the ship and screeched. Therewith the bonder heedeth no longer the rowing, and the oar became loose in his hand. Then said the king: "Much thou bodest of that crow, bonder, or of what it saith." The bonder said: "Lord, now it misgiveth me thereof."

    1895, Snorri Sturluson, “The Story of Olaf the Quiet. Chapter X. Of a Soothsayer.”, in William Morris, Eiríkr [i.e., Eiríkur] Magnússon, transl., The Stories of the Kings of Norway Called the Round of the World (Heimskringla) […] (The Saga Library; V), volume III, London: Bernard Quaritch, […], →OCLC, page 200

    Synonyms: augur, presage, anticipate, augur, call, divine, forecast, foredeem

  3. intransitiveOften followed by ill or well: of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of something.

    VVhat ever novv / The Omen prove, it boded vvell to you.

    1675, John Dryden, Aureng-zebe: A Tragedy. […], London: […] T[homas] N[ewcomb] for Henry Herringman, […], published 1676, →OCLC, Act II, page 26
    4 more examples

    "Vile wretch!" the angry chief replied, / "Thou ever bodest ill; / If I had but thee in my power, / Thy heart's blood I would spill."

    1861, James T[raill] Calder, quoting an anonymous poet, chapter IX, in Sketch of the Civil and Traditional History of Caithness, from the Tenth Century, Glasgow: Thomas Murray and Son […], →OCLC, page 129

    The period and policy of Julian are returning. Some think this bodes ill for the Church; no, it is the State that will suffer.

    1870, B[enjamin] Disraeli, chapter XXXI, in Lothair. […], volume III, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., →OCLC, page 270

    Recent investment by Sellafield and DRS in new wagons and more environmentally friendly traction bodes well for the future of one of the UK's last remaining internal rail networks and for the dedicated team who operate and maintain it.

    2023 December 27, Ben Jones, “Inside Sellafield … by Rail”, in Rail, number 999, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire: Bauer Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 25

    [S]he'd also received a backstage tour of a national magazine and star treatment from its publisher, all of which seemed to bode well for the future of her little column.

    2025, Marie Bostwick, “The Definition of Fun”, in The Book Club for Troublesome Women […], Nashville, Tenn.: Harper Muse, HarperCollins Focus, →ISBN, page 72
nounbode (plural bodes)

plural bodes

  1. A feeling that something is going to happen; a premonition, a presentiment.
  2. obsoleteAn indication, an omen, a sign.

    Ovr Poet […] deſires that yee / VVould not diſtaſte his Muſe, becauſe of late / Tranſplanted, vvhich vvould grovv here, if no fate / Have an unlucky bode […]

    1632, Iames Shirley [i.e., James Shirley], “Epilogus”, in Changes: Or, Love in a Maze. A Comedie, […], London: […] G. P. for William Cooke, […], →OCLC
    1 more example

    [A]t Myræ in Lycia, vvas the fountaine of Apollo Curius, vvhere the fiſhes being three times called vvith a Pipe, aſſembled themſelues, and if they deuoured the meats giuen them, it vvas interpreted a good bode and happie preſage: if they ſtrucke avvay the ſame vvith their tailes, it vvas direfull and dreadfull.

    1613, Samuel Purchas, “[Asia.] Of Ionia and Other Countries in that Chersonesus.”, in Purchas His Pilgrimage. Or Relations of the World and the Religions Observed in All Ages and Places Discouered, from the Creation vnto this Present. […], London: […] William Stansby for Henrie Fetherstone, […], →OCLC, book III (Of the Arabians, Saracens, Turkes, and of the Ancient Inhabitants of Asia Minor, and of Their Religions), page 285

    Synonyms: augury, foreshadowing

  3. obsoleteA message; also, news, tidings.

    Thorough counsel I shall you answer, / What bode ye shall to your lord bear.

    1805, George Ellis, quoting [unknown author], “History of Richard Cœur de Lion”, in Specimens of Early English Metrical Romances, Chiefly Written during the Early Part of the Fourteenth Century; […], volume II, London: […] [R[ichard] Taylor and Co.] for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, […]; Edinburgh: A[rchibald] Constable and Co., published 1805, →OCLC, page 232
    1 more example

    I muſt tell you vvhat lovely Jeſus, fair Jeſus, King Jeſus hath done to my ſoul; ſometimes he ſendeth me out a ſtanding drink, and vvhiſpereth a vvord thorovv the vvall; and I am vvell content of kindneſs at the ſecond hand; his bode is ever vvelcome to me, be vvhat it vvill; […]

    1637 June 25 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Samuel Rutherford, “To Marion M‘Naught”, in Mr. Rutherfoord’s Letters, […], 5th edition, Edinburgh: […] Thomas Lumisden and John Robertson, […], published 1724, →OCLC, page 72

bode2

nounbode (plural bodes)

plural bodes

  1. Northern EnglandScotlandAn offer to pay a certain amount of money for something; a bid.

    Na, na, Captain; ye're ower young and ower free o' your siller [silver]—ye should never tak a fish-wife's first bode; […]

    1816, [Walter Scott], chapter X, in The Antiquary. […], volume III, Edinburgh: […] James Ballantyne and Co. for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, →OCLC, page 215
verbbode (third-person singular simple present bodes, present participle boding, simple past and past participle boded)

present singular third person bodes · participle present boding · participle past boded · past boded

  1. ScotlandtransitiveTo make a bid or offer for (something); to bid, to offer.

    52. Bode good, and get it. / 53. Bode a Robe, and wear it; bode a Sack, and bear it. / Speak heartily, and expect Good, and it vvill fall out accordingly.

    1721, James Kelly, A Complete Collection of Scotish Proverbs Explained and Made Intelligible to the English Reader, London: […] William and John Innys […], and John Osborn […], →OCLC, paragraphs 52–53, page 63

bode3

nounbode (plural bodes)

plural bodes

  1. obsolete except historicalA herald; a messenger.

    [T]he fame of the Duke's coming was sent abroad by the bodes or messengers, despatched to prepare the towns through which he was to pass for an arrival sooner than expected, […]

    1848, [Edward Bulwer-Lytton], chapter III, in Harold, the Last of the Saxon Kings; […], 2nd edition, volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […], →OCLC, book II (Lanfranc the Scholar), page 138

bode4

nounbode (plural bodes)

plural bodes

  1. ScotlandobsoleteAn act of biding or waiting; a wait; also, a delay.

    [M]ake thou thy boade, / In reſolution to reuenge theſe vvronges, / VVith bloud of thouſands guiltleſſe of this rage, / Flie thou on them amaine: […]

    1593, [George Peele], The Famous Chronicle of King Edward the First, […], London: […] Abell Ieffes, and are to be solde by William Barley, […], →OCLC, signature C3, recto

    Synonyms: tarrying

bode5

verb
  1. pastsimple past of bide

Bode6

proper noun
  1. A surname.
  2. A male given name.
  3. A city in Iowa.
  4. A village in Nepal.
  5. A river in Germany, a tributary to the Saale
  6. A small river and tributary to the Wipper

Synonyms & antonyms

verbOf a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); to portend.

Similar
betoken

verbTo declare (something, such as a future event) before it occurs; to foretell, to predict; specifically, to predict (something undesirable); to forebode.

Similar
augurpresageanticipateaugurcalldivineforecastforedeemforeholdforeseeforeshadowforetellpredictpresageprognosticateprophesy

nounAn indication, an omen, a sign.

Similar
auguryforeshadowing

nounAn act of biding or waiting; a wait; also, a delay.

Similar
tarrying

More synonyms by meaning

verbindicate, as with a sign or an omen

Similar
portendauspicateprognosticateomenpresagebetokenforeshadowaugurforetellprefigureforecastpredict
Broader
bespeakbetokenindicate
Also see
augurauspicatebetokencallforecastforeholdforeshadowforetellheraldomenportendpredictprefigurepresageprognosticate

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

bode · verb, noun

  1. Proto-Indo-European*bʰewdʰ-
  2. Proto-Germanic*budą“message; offer”
  3. Proto-West Germanic*bod“command, mandate, order”
  4. Old Englishbod“command, edict, order”
  5. Middle Englishbod“foreboding, omen; message, report; command, edict; (Christianity) commandment; etc.”
  6. Proto-Indo-European*bʰewdʰ-“to be awake; to be aware”
  7. Proto-Germanic*budōną“to announce, proclaim; to call, summon”
  8. Proto-West Germanic*bodōn“to announce, proclaim; to call, summon”
  9. Old Englishbodian“to announce, proclaim, tell; to foretell, prophesy; to preach; etc.”
  10. Middle Englishboden
  11. Englishbode

The verb is derived partly from the following: * From Middle English boden, bodian (“to be a sign or symbol, betoken, signify; to be an omen of a future event, forebode, foreshadow; to foretell, presage; to command, order; to deliver a message, proclaim, report; to preach”), from Old English bodian (“to announce, proclaim, tell; to foretell, prophesy; to preach; etc.”), from Proto-West Germanic *bodōn (“to announce, proclaim; to call, summon”), from Proto-Germanic *budōną (“to announce, proclaim; to call, summon”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewdʰ- (“to be awake; to be aware”). Doublet of bid (“to make an attempt; to make an offer”). * A back-formation from forebode. The noun is derived from Middle English bod (“foreboding, omen; message, report; command, edict; (Christianity) commandment; etc.”), from Old English bod (“command, edict, order”), from Proto-West Germanic *bod (“command, mandate, order”), from Proto-Germanic *budą (“message; offer”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewdʰ- (see above).

More words from Middle English, Old English, Proto-West Germanic

Full word history & related roots →

bode · noun, verb

  1. Middle Englishbod“act of bargaining or offering, or the subject of the bargain or offer; promise; proposal”
  2. Englishbode

The noun is derived from Middle English bod (“act of bargaining or offering, or the subject of the bargain or offer; promise; proposal”), the same word stated in etymology 1. Doublet of bid. The verb is probably derived from the noun. cognates * Dutch bod * Faroese boð * German Gebot * Icelandic boð * Norwegian Bokmål bud, Norwegian Nynorsk bod * Old Saxon gibod * Swedish bud

More words from Middle English

Full word history & related roots →

bode · noun

  1. Proto-Indo-European*bʰewdʰ-“to be awake; to be aware”
  2. Proto-Germanic*budô“messenger”
  3. Proto-West Germanic*bodō
  4. Old Englishboda“herald, messenger; prophet”
  5. Middle Englishbode“emissary, messenger”
  6. Englishbode

From Middle English bode (“emissary, messenger”), from Old English boda (“herald, messenger; prophet”), from Proto-West Germanic *bodō, from Proto-Germanic *budô (“messenger”), from *beudaną (“to bid, offer”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewdʰ- (“to be awake; to be aware”) (compare etymology 1). cognates * Dutch bode (“harbinger, messenger”) * German Bote (“messenger”)

More words from Middle English, Old English, Proto-West Germanic

Full word history & related roots →

bode · noun

  1. Proto-Indo-European*bʰeydʰ-“to convince; to trust”
  2. Proto-Germanic*bīdaną“to await, wait”
  3. Proto-West Germanic*bīdan“to wait”
  4. Old Englishbīd“act of abiding; delay”
  5. Proto-Germanic*baidō
  6. Proto-West Germanic*baidu
  7. Old Englishbād“expectation; waiting”
  8. Middle Englishbod
  9. Englishbode

From Middle English bod, bode, bade, baide; further etymology uncertain, probably: * an aphetic form of abod (“act of waiting, delay”), probably related to Old English bād (“expectation; waiting”), from Proto-West Germanic *baidu, from Proto-Germanic *baidō; and/or * a variant of bide (“act of delaying; a delay”), from Old English bīd (“act of abiding; delay”), related to bīdan (“to remain, stay; to wait”), from Proto-West Germanic *bīdan (“to wait”), from Proto-Germanic *bīdaną (“to await, wait”) (whence modern English abide, bide), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeydʰ- (“to convince; to trust”).

More words from Middle English, Old English, Proto-West Germanic

Full word history & related roots →

bode · verb

An inflected form of bide.

Full word history & related roots →

Bode · proper noun

  1. Old Saxonbodo“messenger”
  2. EnglishBode

* As a Dutch and German surname, from bode (“messenger”). * As a German and Danish surname, from the name Bodo, derived from Old Saxon bodo (“messenger”), related to above. * As a Dutch and German surname, from Bude (“booth, small house”).

More words from Old Saxon

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian предвеща́вам, веща́я
  • предвеща́вам (predveštávam)(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • веща́я (veštája)(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • гада́я (gadája)(transitive) to declare (something, such as a future event) before it occurs — see also foretell, predict
Catalan augurar
  • augurar(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
Chinese Mandarin 預示 /预示
  • 預示 /预示 (yùshì)(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
Czech být předzvěstí, předpovídat
  • být předzvěstí(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • předpovídat(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • věštit(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • věstit(transitive) to declare (something, such as a future event) before it occurs — see also foretell, predict
Dutch voorspellen
  • voorspellen(transitive) to declare (something, such as a future event) before it occurs — see also foretell, predict
Finnish luvata, povata
  • luvata(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • povata(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • ennakoida(transitive) to declare (something, such as a future event) before it occurs — see also foretell, predict
  • ennustaa(transitive) to declare (something, such as a future event) before it occurs — see also foretell, predict
  • aavistaa(transitive) to declare (something, such as a future event) before it occurs — see also foretell, predict
  • ennustaato predict (something undesirable) — see also forebode
  • aavistaato predict (something undesirable) — see also forebode
French augurer, présager
  • augurer(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • présager(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
German ahnen lassen, sich ankündigen
  • ahnen lassen(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • sich ankündigen(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • verheißen(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • ahnen lassen(transitive) to declare (something, such as a future event) before it occurs — see also foretell, predict
  • verheißen(transitive) to declare (something, such as a future event) before it occurs — see also foretell, predict
Greek προμηνύω, προοιωνίζομαι
  • προμηνύω (prominýo)(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • προοιωνίζομαι (prooionízomai)(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • προοιωνίζω (prooionízo)(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
Italian presagire, promettere
  • presagire(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • promettere(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • far presagire(transitive) to declare (something, such as a future event) before it occurs — see also foretell, predict
  • preannunciare(transitive) to declare (something, such as a future event) before it occurs — see also foretell, predict
Korean 징조이다
  • 징조이다 (jingjoida)(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
Portuguese augurar, pressagiar
  • augurar(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • pressagiar(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
Russian предвеща́ть, предвести́ть
  • предвеща́ть (predveščátʹ)(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • предвести́ть (predvestítʹ)(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • сули́ть (sulítʹ)(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • посули́ть (posulítʹ)(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • веща́ть (veščátʹ)(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • гада́ть (gadátʹ)(transitive) to declare (something, such as a future event) before it occurs — see also foretell, predict
  • погада́ть (pogadátʹ)(transitive) to declare (something, such as a future event) before it occurs — see also foretell, predict
Spanish agorar, agüerar
  • agorar(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • agüerar(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • anunciarse(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • augurar(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • presagiar(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
  • pronosticar(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something
Swedish båda
  • båda(transitive) of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); (intransitive) to be an indication, omen, or sign of something

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with bode

coderoadmodenodeepisodereloadodunicoderodeowedencodeodedecodeabodebowedunloaderoderecodelodetoedstrodegoadcommodeoffload
All rhymes →

Sounds the same

bowed (etymology 2)bowed (etymology 2)bowed (etymology 2)bowed (etymology 2)bowed (etymology 2)bowed (etymology 2)bowed (etymology 2)

Anagrams

ObedDebodobebedo
Cite this entry
APA

bode. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bode

MLA

“bode.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bode. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “bode,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bode.

Source: bode on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.