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Bode vs. Forebode — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 26, 2024
Bode is a verb meaning to indicate by signs, often used in a neutral or ambiguous context; forebode specifically suggests a prediction of something negative or disastrous.
Bode vs. Forebode — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Bode and Forebode

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Key Differences

Bode typically suggests an indication of future outcomes based on current signs or omens, while forebode implies a stronger sense of warning about negative outcomes.
Bode can be used in a broader, sometimes more neutral context to predict future events, whereas forebode almost exclusively conveys a sense of impending danger or misfortune.
The usage of bode does not inherently carry a negative connotation and can simply imply foresight, on the other hand, forebode is laden with ominous overtones, often used to imply dread or anxiety about the future.
When someone says that something "bodes well," they mean it predicts good outcomes; conversely, if something is said to "forebode evil," it specifically predicts something harmful or undesirable.
In literature, bode might be used to create a mood of anticipation or expectancy, while forebode is typically employed to build tension or a sense of impending doom.
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Comparison Chart

Connotation

Neutral or vague
Strongly negative

Common Usage

General prediction
Warning of negative events

Emotional Weight

Lighter
Heavier

Example Context

"The clouds bode rain."
"Dark clouds forebode a storm."

Phrase Example

"This bodes well for us."
"This forebodes disaster."

Compare with Definitions

Bode

To act as an omen or harbinger.
Dark clouds bode rain for the afternoon.

Forebode

To have an inward conviction of (as coming ill or misfortune).
He foreboded that the news would not be good.

Bode

To portend or foreshadow.
Economic indicators bode a recovery in the job market.

Forebode

To predict or foretell something bad or harmful.
Her anxious demeanor foreboded bad news.

Bode

To be an omen of a particular outcome.
Early reviews bode a blockbuster opening weekend for the movie.

Forebode

To portend or presage unfavorable outcomes.
A tumultuous political climate often forebodes social unrest.

Bode

Be a portent of a particular outcome
The 12 per cent interest rate bodes dark days ahead for retailers
Their argument did not bode well for the future

Forebode

To indicate beforehand that something bad is going to happen.
A sudden drop in temperature can forebode a severe winter storm.

Bode

To be an omen of
Heavy seas that boded trouble for small craft.

Forebode

To give an advance warning of something bad.
The heavy morning clouds foreboded a day of relentless rain.

Bode

(Archaic) To predict; foretell.

Forebode

(of a situation or occurrence) act as an advance warning of (something bad)
This lull foreboded some new assault upon him

Bode

To be an omen; portend
The peace accord bodes well for the city under siege.

Forebode

To indicate the likelihood of; portend
Harsh words that foreboded estrangement.

Bode

A past tense of bide.

Forebode

To have a premonition of (a future misfortune).

Bode

(ambitransitive) To indicate by signs, as future events; to be an omen of; to portend or foretell.

Forebode

To prophesy or predict.

Bode

To betoken or augur something good or bad that will happen in the future.

Forebode

To predict a future event; to hint at something that will happen (especially as a literary device).

Bode

An omen; a foreshadowing.
RQ:Chaucer Parlement of Foules

Forebode

To be prescient of (some ill or misfortune); to have an inward conviction of, as of a calamity which is about to happen; to augur despondingly.

Bode

A bid; an offer.

Forebode

(obsolete) prognostication; presage

Bode

A herald; a messenger.

Forebode

To foretell.

Bode

A stop; a halting; delay.

Forebode

To be prescient of (some ill or misfortune); to have an inward conviction of, as of a calamity which is about to happen; to augur despondingly.
His heart forebodes a mystery.
Sullen, desponding, and foreboding nothing but wars and desolation, as the certain consequence of Cæsar's death.
I have a sort of foreboding about him.

Bode

To indicate by signs, as future events; to be the omen of; to portend to presage; to foreshow.
A raven that bodes nothing but mischief.
Good onset bodes good end.

Forebode

To foretell; to presage; to augur.
If I forebode aright.

Bode

To foreshow something; to augur.
Whatever nowThe omen proved, it boded well to you.

Forebode

Prognostication; presage.

Bode

An omen; a foreshadowing.
The owl eke, that of death the bode bringeth.

Forebode

Make a prediction about; tell in advance;
Call the outcome of an election

Bode

A bid; an offer.

Bode

A messenger; a herald.

Bode

A stop; a halting; delay.

Bode

Abode.
There that night they bode.

Bode

Bid or bidden.

Bode

Indicate by signs;
These signs bode bad news

Bode

To indicate by signs or symptoms.
The student's enthusiasm bodes well for her future.

Bode

To predict something.
His confidence bodes success in the new venture.

Common Curiosities

How is bode used in a sentence?

"The warm morning bodes a beautiful day."

What does forebode mean?

Forebode means to predict something bad or harmful, typically with a sense of dread.

Is forebode always negative?

Yes, forebode typically implies negative predictions.

What types of events do bode and forebode predict?

Bode predicts both positive and neutral events; forebode predicts primarily negative events.

Can bode have a positive meaning?

Yes, bode can have a positive connotation, such as in "bodes well."

Can bode be used as a noun?

No, bode is primarily used as a verb.

Can forebode be used as a noun?

No, like bode, forebode is primarily a verb.

What does bode mean?

Bode means to indicate by signs, suggesting a future outcome.

How is forebode used in a sentence?

"The gathering storm clouds forebode a tough journey ahead."

What is the origin of the word forebode?

Forebode also derives from Old English 'forebodian', meaning to foretell with strong implication of warning.

What is the origin of the word bode?

Bode comes from Old English 'bodian', meaning to announce or foretell.

Are bode and forebode interchangeable?

Not typically, due to their different emotional weights and contexts.

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Adverse vs. Averse

Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

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