Word
bernie
Phoneticsbernie
/ˈbɝni/
Definitions
01a person's name
n. a short name or nickname for Bernard or Bernadette.
n. A diminutive or hypocoristic form of the given names Bernard or Bernadette.
“Everyone at the office calls him Bernie instead of Bernard.”
“While his legal documents were signed as Bernard, he insisted that all his colleagues address him as Bernie to maintain a casual atmosphere.”
Informal
02a dog breed
n. a friendly, informal name for a Bernese Mountain Dog.
n. An informal clipping referring to the Bernese Mountain Dog, a large breed originating from the Swiss Alps.
“Our neighbor just got a Bernie puppy with beautiful black and white fur.”
“The local park is a popular gathering spot for owners of large breeds, particularly those who keep a Bernie as a family companion.”
Informal
Teaching tip
This is a very specific, informal term used by dog enthusiasts; most learners should simply use the full breed name.
Synonyms
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/bernie