betide

[ bih-tahyd ]

/ bɪˈtaɪd /

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See synonyms for betide on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), be·tid·ed, be·tid·ing.

to happen to; come to; befall: Woe betide the villain!

verb (used without object), be·tid·ed, be·tid·ing.

to happen; come to pass: Whatever betides, maintain your courage.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of betide

First recorded in 1125–75, betide is from the Middle English word betiden.See be-, tide²

Words nearby betide

Bethsabee, Bethsaida, Beth Shammai, Bethune, Bethune, Mary McLeod, betide, betimes, bêtise, Betjeman, to blame, be, betoken

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use betide in a sentence

(and, of course, woe betide any who might venture the opinion that, hey, maybe not).
Why Blast When You Can—And Do—Build?|Emily L. Hauser|November 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Woe betide those on the losing side of a major political fight in most Arab states.
Arab Americans Need Political Normalization|Hussein Ibish|November 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
If Gaddafi retains power in Libya, then woe betide those who have fought his rule.
The Case for Prosecuting Libya's Muammar Gaddafi|Geoffrey Robertson|March 1, 2011|DAILY BEAST
It may well betide that you shall come to beg upon your knees for this alliance with a man whom you tell me that you hate.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini

Her soul was numb, her courage seemed dead, and little care had she in that hour of what might betide her now.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
But off the stage, woe betide us both, I should lose all my advantages.
The Tragic Muse|Henry James
He was always for bold attack, and would be ready on the morrow, we did not doubt, for whatever might betide.
A Heroine of France|Evelyn Everett-Green
The whirlies tracked about in a most irregular manner and woe betide any light object which came in their path.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas Mawson

British Dictionary definitions for betide

betide

/ (bɪˈtaɪd) /

verb

to happen or happen to; befall (often in the phrase woe betide (someone))

Word Origin for betide

C13: see be-, tide ²

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

betide

Origin of betide

Words nearby betide

Words related to betide

How to use betide in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for betide

Word Origin for betide