Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

bernard

/bəɹˈnɑɹd/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.02 in modern English

Syllables: bernard
IPA: /bəɹˈnɑɹd/

10

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

name

A male given name from the Germanic languages.

name

A surname originating as a patronymic.

noun

Shortened form of Saint Bernard (the dog).

Example Sentences

"A similar arrangement was made for her son Bernard, named in honor of the great Carthusian mystic (at least, that is what Jim Gaffney would softly tell Mrs. Kozinski) and of Bernie Astor, the publicist."

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English Bernard, from Old French Bernard, Bernart, from Medieval Latin Bernardus, probably from Frankish *Bernhard (cognate with Old High German Bernhart, Old English Beornheard), from Proto-Germanic *Bernuharduz, equivalent to bear + -ard. Popularized by medieval European saints.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: Bernard, Bernardus, *Bernhard, *Bernuharduz

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /bəɹˈnɑɹd/
British English: /ˈbɜːnəd/

Inflected Forms

Barnard (alternative) bernards (plural)

Derived Forms

Bernardian Bernardine Bernardston

Phrases

Bernard-Soulier syndrome

Frequently Paired Words

Bernadette Bernie

Rhymes With

hard card guard yard regard starred barred gerard disregard discard retard bard

Questions

How do you pronounce bernard?: The recorded pronunciation is /bəɹˈnɑɹd/.
What does bernard mean?: A male given name from the Germanic languages.
Where does bernard come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce bernard

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “bernard”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/bəɹˈnɑɹd/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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Repeat and practice — Say “bernard” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.