betide
7 synonyms for betide, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To happen to someone or something; to befall, especially in warnings or predictions.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use betide
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
woe betide
Archaic outside the set phrase "woe betide."
Etymology
From Middle English, built from "be-" plus an old verb "tide," meaning "to happen" — related to the noun "tide" in the sense of time or season.
Full origin of betide →Frequently asked questions
What does “betide” mean?
The word “betide” means to happen to someone or something; to befall, especially in warnings or predictions. In plain terms, an old-fashioned word for "happen to" or "befall," almost always seen today in the fixed phrase "woe betide.".
How do you pronounce “betide”?
“Betide” is pronounced bih-TYD (/bəˈtaɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “betide” in a sentence?
Here is “betide” used in a sentence: “Woe betide anyone who crosses her.”
What part of speech is “betide”?
“Betide” is a verb.
Where does the word “betide” come from?
The word “betide” comes from Middle English. From Middle English, built from "be-" plus an old verb "tide," meaning "to happen" — related to the noun "tide" in the sense of time or season.
