# Bernie

/ˈbɝni/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bernie
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a person's name

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a short name or nickname for Bernard or Bernadette.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. a dog breed

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal

a friendly, informal name for a Bernese Mountain Dog.

For teachers: 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.

Teaching tip: This is a very specific, informal term used by dog enthusiasts; most learners should simply use the full breed name.

## Examples

- You look like a little Bernie in that oversized coat.
- After waiting for the bus in the snow for twenty minutes, I felt like a total Bernie.
- The internet was quickly flooded with images of the senator, and soon anyone sitting cross-legged in mittens was jokingly referred to as a Bernie.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.