noun
Common
Bernard
BUR-nuhd
Bernard (noun) means informal shortened form of "Saint Bernard," the large mountain rescue dog breed. Example: “The family's bernard flopped down in front of the fireplace after the walk.”
noun
1
Informal shortened form of "Saint Bernard," the large mountain rescue dog breed.
"The family's bernard flopped down in front of the fireplace after the walk."
How to use Bernard
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost familiar as a first name; as a common noun it is an informal nickname for the Saint Bernard dog breed.
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Word forms
- Plural
- bernards
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The family's _____ flopped down in front of the fireplace after the walk.
Etymology
From Old French Bernard, ultimately from Frankish *Bernhard, combining words for "bear" and "hardy" — popularized as a name by several medieval saints.
Synonyms
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saint bernard
st bernard
Frequently asked questions
What does “Bernard” mean?
The word “Bernard” means informal shortened form of "Saint Bernard," the large mountain rescue dog breed. In plain terms, most familiar as a first name; as a common noun it is an informal nickname for the Saint Bernard dog breed.
How do you pronounce “Bernard”?
“Bernard” is pronounced BUR-nuhd (/bəɹˈnɑɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “Bernard” in a sentence?
Here is “Bernard” used in a sentence: “The family's bernard flopped down in front of the fireplace after the walk.”
What part of speech is “Bernard”?
“Bernard” is a noun.
Where does the word “Bernard” come from?
The word “Bernard” comes from Old French. From Old French Bernard, ultimately from Frankish *Bernhard, combining words for "bear" and "hardy" — popularized as a name by several medieval saints.
Is “Bernard” a common word?
“Bernard” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is a Bernard the same as a Saint Bernard?
Yes. Bernard is an informal, shortened name for the Saint Bernard, the large mountain rescue dog breed. The full breed name is used in formal or official contexts, while Bernard appears in casual speech.
Should Bernard be capitalized when it refers to the dog?
Yes. Bernard is a shortening of Saint Bernard, a proper name, so it keeps its capital letter even in informal use. Writing it in lowercase would read as an error rather than a breed name.
Is it St. Bernard or Saint Bernard?
Both forms refer to the same breed; "St." is simply the standard abbreviation of "Saint." Formal writing often spells out Saint Bernard, St. Bernard is common elsewhere, and Bernard on its own is the informal shorthand.
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