rhizoverbBeta
DictionarybodeSign of a future outcome
verb

bode

BOHD/bəʊd/

To be a sign of a future outcome.

The approaching storm clouds bode ill for the small sailboat.

An approaching bank of dark storm clouds looms over a small sailboat on still-sunlit water; a rising wind stretches its pennant and begins roughening the water.
Etymology
bodeOld Englishproclaim, foretell

Bodian meant to proclaim or announce beforehand. In the current sense, a sign or circumstance effectively announces what is likely to happen, giving a good or bad promise of the future.

In context

Libranima246:42
In that hour let no man hold back, waiting for a second summons; such summons shall bode ill for him who is found lagging behind at our ships
The Iliad - Homer (Illustrated Audiobook) Part 2 of 2

More examples

  • The early success bodes well for the project.
  • Those repeated delays boded ill for the schedule.
  • We wondered what the unexpected silence might bode.

Forms

bode · bodes · boded · boding

Similar words

presage
Formally signals something coming, often without well or ill.
portend
Often suggests an ominous future development.