bode
verb · noun
Simple meaning
To indicate by signs, as future events.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
bohdIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈboʊd
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
verb
ambitransitive
To indicate by signs, as future events; to be an omen of; to portend or foretell.
intransitivefollowed by "well""ill""no good"etc.
To betoken or augur something good or bad that will happen in the future.
noun
An omen; a foreshadowing.
A small river and tributary to the Wipper
A herald; a messenger.
A stop; a halting; delay.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- C2 · Proficient
- Frequency
- Uncommon
- Typical Use
- Primarily written
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: (ambitransitive) To indicate by signs, as future events; to be an omen of; to portend or foretell.
Used this way, bode is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- No strong connotation
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Nearby words
- betoken , rarer, so it draws attention
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use bode
- “These signs bode bad news.”verb
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Similar Words, What’s the Difference?
Close in meaning, but not always interchangeable.
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
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