Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

/ˈboʊd.fəl/

Definitions

Indicating or suggesting an omen; full of foreshadowing or portent.

Usage Examples

• The dark clouds in the sky were bodeful of an impending storm.
• Her bodeful tone suggested bad news was coming.

Etymology

Derived from the verb "bode," meaning to indicate or foretell, combined with the suffix "-ful," which means "full of."

Synonyms

• Ominous
• Portentous
• Foreboding

Antonyms

• Reassuring
• Hopeful
• Promising

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

In British English, "bodeful" may be pronounced as /ˈbəʊd.fəl/, whereas in American English it is typically pronounced as /ˈboʊd.fəl/.

Historical Usage

The term "bodeful" has been used since the 17th century in English literature to describe situations or omens that seemed to foretell significant events, often with a negative connotation.

Cultural Nuances

The word "bodeful" is often associated with poetic and literary contexts, evoking a sense of forewarning or premonition in a dramatic or vivid manner.

More Information

The adjective "bodeful" is not commonly used in modern speech but retains significance in literary and descriptive writing. It serves as a linguistic tool to create an atmosphere of anticipation or unease, often used in storytelling and poetry to set a tone or foreshadow events.