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bode

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also: Bode, bøde, bodě, bodę, and bódé

English

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WOTD – 16 March 2026

Pronunciation

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Etymology 1

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The verb is derived partly from the following:

The noun is derived from Middle English bod (“foreboding, omen; message, report; command, edict; (Christianity) commandment; etc.”),[4] from Old English bod (“command, edict, order”),[5] from Proto-West Germanic *bod (“command, mandate, order”), from Proto-Germanic *budą (“message; offer”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewdʰ- (see above).[6]

Verb

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

  1. (transitive)
    1. Of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of (something); to portend.
      Synonym: betoken
    2. (archaic) To declare (something, such as a future event) before it occurs; to foretell, to predict; specifically, to predict (something undesirable); to forebode.
      Synonyms: augur, presage; see also Thesaurus:predict
  2. (intransitive) Often followed by ill or well: of a thing: to be an indication, omen, or sign of something.
    • 1675, John Dryden, Aureng-zebe: A Tragedy. […], London: […] T[homas] N[ewcomb] for Henry Herringman, […], published 1676, →OCLC, Act II, page 26:
      VVhat ever novv / The Omen prove, it boded vvell to you.
    • 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:
      "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."
    • 1870, B[enjamin] Disraeli, chapter XXXI, in Lothair. […], volume III, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., →OCLC, page 270:
      The period and policy of Julian are returning. Some think this bodes ill for the Church; no, it is the State that will suffer.
    • 2023 December 27, Ben Jones, “Inside Sellafield … by Rail”, in Rail, number 999, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire: Bauer Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 25:
      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.
    • 2025, Marie Bostwick, “The Definition of Fun”, in The Book Club for Troublesome Women […], Nashville, Tenn.: Harper Muse, HarperCollins Focus, →ISBN, page 72:
      [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.
Conjugation
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Conjugation of bode
infinitive (to) bode
present tense past tense
1st-person singular bode boded
2nd-person singular bode, bodest† boded, bodedst†
3rd-person singular bodes, bodeth† boded
plural bode
subjunctive bode boded
imperative bode —
participles boding boded

† Archaic or obsolete.

Derived terms
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Translations
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Noun

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bode (plural bodes)

  1. A feeling that something is going to happen; a premonition, a presentiment.
  2. (obsolete)
    1. An indication, an omen, a sign.
      Synonyms: augury, foreshadowing
      • 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:
        [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.
      • 1632, Iames Shirley [i.e., James Shirley], “Epilogus”, in Changes: Or, Love in a Maze. A Comedie, […], London: […] G. P. for William Cooke, […], →OCLC:
        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 […]
    2. A message; also, news, tidings.
      • 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:
        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; […]
      • 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:
        Thorough counsel I shall you answer, / What bode ye shall to your lord bear.
        A modernized version of an early-14th-century Middle English poem.
Derived terms
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Translations
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Etymology 2

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The noun is derived from Middle English bod (“act of bargaining or offering, or the subject of the bargain or offer; promise; proposal”),[4] the same word stated in etymology 1.[6] Doublet of bid.

The verb is probably derived from the noun.[7]

cognates

Noun

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bode (plural bodes)

  1. (Northern England, Scotland) An offer to pay a certain amount of money for something; a bid.
Derived terms
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  • bud (“a bribe”) (Scotland, obsolete)

Verb

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

  1. (transitive, Scotland) To make a bid or offer for (something); to bid, to offer.
    • 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:
      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.
Translations
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Etymology 3

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    From Middle English bode (“emissary, messenger”),[8] from Old English boda (“herald, messenger; prophet”),[9] 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).[10]

    cognates

    Noun

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    bode (plural bodes)

    1. (obsolete except historical) A herald; a messenger.
      • 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:
        [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, […]
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    • Bode (male given name; surname)

    Etymology 4

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    From Middle English bod, bode, bade, baide;[11] further etymology uncertain, probably:[12]

    Noun

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    bode (plural bodes)

    1. (chiefly Scotland, obsolete) An act of biding or waiting; a wait; also, a delay.
      Synonym: tarrying

    Etymology 5

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    An inflected form of bide.

    Verb

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    bode

    1. simple past of bide

    References

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    1. ^ “bōden, v.(1)”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.
    2. ^ Joseph Bosworth (1882), “bodian”, in T[homas] Northcote Toller, editor, An Anglo-Saxon Dictionary […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: Clarendon Press, →OCLC, page 114, column 2.
    3. ^ “bode, v.1”, in OED Online Paid subscription required⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, September 2025; “bode, v.”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
    4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 “bōd, n.(2)”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.
    5. ^ Joseph Bosworth (1882), “bod”, in T[homas] Northcote Toller, editor, An Anglo-Saxon Dictionary […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: Clarendon Press, →OCLC, page 114.
    6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 “bode, n.2”, in OED Online Paid subscription required⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, September 2024.
    7. ^ “bode, v.2”, in OED Online Paid subscription required⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, December 2025.
    8. ^ “bōde, n.(1)”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.
    9. ^ Joseph Bosworth (1882), “bod”, in T[homas] Northcote Toller, editor, An Anglo-Saxon Dictionary […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: Clarendon Press, →OCLC, page 114.
    10. ^ “bode, n.1”, in OED Online Paid subscription required⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, July 2023.
    11. ^ “bōd, n.(1)”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.
    12. ^ “bode, n.3”, in OED Online Paid subscription required⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, June 2024.
    13. ^ “abōd, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.
    14. ^ T[homas] Northcote Toller (1921), “bád”, in An Anglo-Saxon Dictionary […]: Supplement, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Clarendon Press, →OCLC, page 60, column 2.
    15. ^ “bīde, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.
    16. ^ Joseph Bosworth (1882), “bíd”, in T[homas] Northcote Toller, editor, An Anglo-Saxon Dictionary […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: Clarendon Press, →OCLC, page 99, column 1.
    17. ^ Joseph Bosworth (1882), “bídan”, in T[homas] Northcote Toller, editor, An Anglo-Saxon Dictionary […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: Clarendon Press, →OCLC, page 99, column 1.

    Further reading

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    Anagrams

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    Chichewa

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    Etymology

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    Borrowed from English body.

    Pronunciation

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    Noun

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    bóde class 5 (plural mabóde class 6)

    1. body of a lorry

    Czech

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    Pronunciation

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    Noun

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    bode

    1. vocative singular of bod

    Dutch

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    Pronunciation

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    Etymology 1

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      From Middle Dutch bōde, from Old Dutch bodo, from Proto-Germanic *budô.

      Noun

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      bode m or f (plural boden or bodes, diminutive bodetje n)

      1. messenger, deliverer
        Synonym: boodschapper
      2. servant
        Synonyms: bediende, dienaar, dienstbode, knecht
      Derived terms
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      Etymology 2

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      See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

      Verb

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      bode

      1. (dated or formal) singular past subjunctive of bieden

      Further reading

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      • M. J. Koenen & J. Endepols, Verklarend Handwoordenboek der Nederlandse Taal (tevens Vreemde-woordentolk), Groningen, Wolters-Noordhoff, 1969 (26th edition) [Dutch dictionary in Dutch]

      Galician

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      Etymology

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      Unknown. Probably from Paleo-Hispanic.

      Pronunciation

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      Noun

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      bode m (plural bodes)

      1. buck, billy goat
        Synonyms: castrón, godallo
      2. goatskin
        Synonym: fol

      Derived terms

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      References

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      Laboya

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      Verb

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      bode

      1. (intransitive) to stop

      References

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      • Rina, A. Dj.; Kabba, John Lado B. (2011), “bode”, in Kamus Bahasa Lamboya, Kabupaten Sumba Bakat [Dictionary of Lamboya Language, West Sumba Regency], Waikabubak: Dinas Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata, Kabupaten Sumba Bakat, page 10

      Middle Dutch

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      Etymology

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        From Old Dutch bodo, from Proto-Germanic *budô.

        Pronunciation

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        Noun

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        bōde m

        1. messenger
        2. servant

        Inflection

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        Weak masculine noun
        singular plural
        nominative bōde bōden
        accusative bōde bōden
        genitive bōden bōden
        dative bōde bōden

        Descendants

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        • Dutch: bode

        Further reading

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        Middle English

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        Etymology 1

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        From Old English boda.

        Noun

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        bode

        1. messenger
        2. omen
        Descendants
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        Etymology 2

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        Noun

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        bode

        1. (Early Middle English, Worcestershire) alternative form of bede

        Norwegian Nynorsk

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        Verb

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        bode

        1. past participle of by

        Old English

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        Pronunciation

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        Noun

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        bode

        1. dative singular of bod

        Plautdietsch

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        Etymology

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        From Middle Low German bāden, from Old Saxon *bathōn, from Proto-West Germanic *baþōn.

        Verb

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        bode

        1. to bathe, to lave

        Portuguese

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        Portuguese Wikipedia has an article on:
        Wikipedia pt
        Image
        bode (sense 1)

        Etymology

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        Unknown. Probably from Paleo-Hispanic. Or, possibly of Germanic origin, borrowed through Spanish bode.[1]

        Pronunciation

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        Noun

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        bode m (plural bodes)

        1. goat buck, billy goat, ram (a male goat)
          Synonym: cabrão
        2. (Brazil, slang, chiefly in the singular) a general feeling of indisposition, sadness, or fatigue
          Synonyms: prostração, abatimento, indisposição, tristeza
          Ele acordou de bode esse domingo.
          He woke up indisposed this Sunday.
          Me deu bode de fazer a lição de casa.
          I don't feel like doing my homework.
          1. (Brazil, slang, chiefly in the singular) the feeling of indisposition, tiredness, or sleepiness resulting from drug consumption
            Coordinate term: larica
          2. (Brazil, slang, by extension, chiefly in the singular) annoyance, grievance with a person or thing
            Synonym: ranço
            Fiquei com bode dessa menina: ela vive me criticando!
            I'm tired of this chick: she always criticizes me!
            • 2024 November 2, neileitte, Twitter‎[1]:
              Eu tava tão ansioso pra esse na época e peguei bode dela pela transfobia
              I was so excited for this one at the time and then I got sick of her because of her transphobia
        3. (slang) a man who wears a goatee
        4. (slang, derogatory) a smelly person
        5. (slang, derogatory) an ugly person
        6. (Brazil, slang) a problem, a difficult situation
          Synonyms: encrenca, problema
        7. (Brazil, slang) someone who is lustful; a horny person
          Synonym: tarado

        Derived terms

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        See also

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        References

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        1. ^ “bode” in Dicionário Aberto based on Novo Diccionário da Língua Portuguesa de Cândido de Figueiredo, 1913

        Further reading

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        Serbo-Croatian

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        Verb

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        bode (Cyrillic spelling боде)

        1. third-person singular present of bosti

        Spanish

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        Etymology

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        Inherited from Old Spanish bote, from Medieval Latin buccus, of Germanic origin, see also German Bock.

        Pronunciation

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        • IPA(key): /ˈbode/ [ˈbo.ð̞e]
        • Rhymes: -ode
        • Syllabification: bo‧de

        Noun

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        bode m (plural bodes)

        1. goat buck
          Synonym: cabrón

        Further reading

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        • “bode”, in Diccionario de la lengua española [Dictionary of the Spanish Language] (in Spanish), online version 23.8.1, Royal Spanish Academy [Spanish: Real Academia Española], 15 December 2025
        • Roberts, Edward A. (2014), A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the Spanish Language with Families of Words based on Indo-European Roots, Self-published: Xlibris, →ISBN

        Volapük

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        Noun

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        bode

        1. dative singular of bod

        Yoruba

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        Image
        Bodè

        Etymology

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        From ibi +‎ o +‎ dè.

        Pronunciation

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        Noun

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        bodè

        1. city gate
          Synonym: ibodè
        2. (by extension) a point of entry; entrance
          Synonyms: àbáwọlé, ibodè

        Derived terms

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