# bode

/ˈboʊd/ (US) · /bˈəʊd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bode
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

to be a sign of what will happen in the future. It is usually used with 'well' or 'ill' to say if the future looks good or bad.

For teachers: to portend or foreshadow a future event or outcome. Typically used with an adverbial modifier to indicate the nature of the omen.

## Examples

- The dark clouds do not bode well for our picnic.
- The company's strong quarterly earnings bode well for its upcoming expansion into international markets.
- While the initial diplomatic breakthrough was celebrated, the subsequent breakdown in communication does not bode well for a lasting peace treaty.

## Pitfalls

- Not "This bodes a good future" but "This bodes well for the future" — In modern English, 'bode' is almost exclusively used with the adverbs 'well' or 'ill' rather than a direct object.

## Usage notes

- The verb is intransitive when followed by an adverb like 'well' or 'ill'; it rarely takes a direct object in modern usage.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.