noun

Berk

burk

Berk (noun) means a foolish or silly person (mild British slang). Example: “Don't be such a berk — you left the keys in the door again.”

noun

A foolish or silly person (mild British slang).

"Don't be such a berk — you left the keys in the door again."

How to use Berk

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA mild British insult for someone acting foolishly — closer to "idiot" in a joking, not-too-harsh way.

When to use it

Informal British slang; rarely used in American English.

Common pairings

a right berk act like a berk

Word forms

berks plural

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Don't be such a _____ — you left the keys in the door again.

Etymology

* As a Dutch, Czech, and Polish surname, from a Germanic personal name stemming from Proto-Germanic *berô (“bear”). Also see Bernhard. * As a Dutch and north German surname, from the word for birch tree, from Proto-West Germanic *berku. * As a Jewish surname, spelling variant of Berg.

Rhymes for Berk

jerk perk clerk twerk

See all rhymes for Berk →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Berk” mean?

The word “Berk” means a foolish or silly person (mild British slang). In plain terms, a mild British insult for someone acting foolishly — closer to "idiot" in a joking, not-too-harsh way.

How do you pronounce “Berk”?

“Berk” is pronounced burk (/bɝk/ in IPA).

How do you use “Berk” in a sentence?

Here is “Berk” used in a sentence: “Don't be such a berk — you left the keys in the door again.”

What part of speech is “Berk”?

“Berk” is a noun.