verb
bide
byd
Bide (verb) means to wait patiently for the right moment. Example: “He decided to bide his time until the market improved.”
verb
1
To wait patiently for the right moment.
"He decided to bide his time until the market improved."
2
An older usage meaning to stay, dwell, or remain in a place.
"The travelers bided in the village for the winter."
How to use bide
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo wait, especially patiently, until the right time.
Common mistake
Almost always used today in the fixed phrase "bide your time" — it sounds archaic on its own.
Common pairings
bide your time
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- bides
- Past tense
- bode, bided, bidden
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He decided to _____ his time until the market improved.
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.
Related words
Rhymes for bide
See all rhymes for 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.
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