bide

7 synonyms and 1 antonym for bide, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To wait patiently for the right moment.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

wait remain stay

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

linger dwell abide

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

tarry

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To wait patiently for the right moment.

“He decided to bide his time until the market improved.”

wait linger tarry remain stay dwell abide

2. verb

An older usage meaning to stay, dwell, or remain in a place.

“The travelers bided in the village for the winter.”

Opposites

depart

How to use bide

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

bide your time

Etymology

From Old English bidan, "to wait, remain, or endure," from a Proto-Germanic root shared with words for "wait" across many Germanic languages, and distantly related to "faith" and "fidelity" through a common Indo-European root.

Full origin of bide →

Frequently asked questions

What does “bide” mean?

The word “bide” means to wait patiently for the right moment. In plain terms, to wait, especially patiently, until the right time.

How do you pronounce “bide”?

“Bide” is pronounced byd (/baɪd/ in IPA).

How do you use “bide” in a sentence?

Here is “bide” used in a sentence: “He decided to bide his time until the market improved.”

What part of speech is “bide”?

“Bide” is a verb.

Where does the word “bide” come from?

The word “bide” comes from Old English.

How many meanings does “bide” have?

“Bide” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to wait patiently for the right moment.

People also searched

wait stay remain depart dwell abide linger tarry

Nearby words

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