noun
Uncommon
Bernie
BNEE
Bernie (noun) means informal nickname for the Bernese mountain dog breed. Example: “Their bernie greeted every visitor with an enormous, gentle head.”
noun
1
Informal nickname for the Bernese mountain dog breed.
"Their bernie greeted every visitor with an enormous, gentle head."
How to use Bernie
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA pet-name for the Bernese mountain dog; more generally a diminutive of several given names.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Bernies
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Their _____ greeted every visitor with an enormous, gentle head.
Etymology
As a given name, a diminutive of Bernard (male) or Bernice/Bernadette (female); the dog-breed sense comes from clipping "Bernese."
Synonyms
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berner
bernese mountain dog
Related words
Rhymes for Bernie
See all rhymes for Bernie →Frequently asked questions
What does “Bernie” mean?
The word “Bernie” means informal nickname for the Bernese mountain dog breed. In plain terms, a pet-name for the Bernese mountain dog; more generally a diminutive of several given names.
How do you pronounce “Bernie”?
“Bernie” is pronounced BNEE (/ˈbɝni/ in IPA).
How do you use “Bernie” in a sentence?
Here is “Bernie” used in a sentence: “Their bernie greeted every visitor with an enormous, gentle head.”
What part of speech is “Bernie”?
“Bernie” is a noun.
Is “Bernie” a common word?
“Bernie” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Is Bernie short for Bernard?
Yes — Bernie is a common pet form of Bernard, and sometimes of Bernadette. Separately, dog owners use Bernie as an affectionate informal nickname for the Bernese mountain dog breed.
What is the difference between Bernie and Berner for the dog breed?
Both are informal nicknames owners use for the Bernese mountain dog; neither is the formal breed name. Berner echoes the breed's Swiss-German name, Berner Sennenhund, while Bernie treats the breed name like a friendly personal name.
Should Bernie be capitalised?
Yes. Whether it is a person's nickname or an informal name for the Bernese mountain dog, Bernie functions as a proper noun and takes a capital B, just as Bernese does because it comes from the Swiss city of Bern.
