cemetery vs graveyard

[dut_thinker]

Hi teachers

What the difference between cemetery and graveyard? Which is more common in American English?

Thanks in advance.

 

[SirGod]

* Not a teacher

They are used in both BrE and AmE. Maybe a native speaker can clear you up on this matter.

graveyard = a place, often next to a church where dead people are buried

cemetery = an area of ground in which dead bodies are buried, especially one which is not next to a church

- definitions from Cambridge Dictionary

 

[bhaisahab]

* Not a teacher

They are used in both BrE and AmE. Maybe a native speaker can clear you up on this matter.

graveyard = a place, often next to a church where dead people are buried

cemetery = an area of ground in which dead bodies are buried, especially one which is not next to a church

- definitions from Cambridge Dictionary

As you say, a graveyard is usually attached to a church and a cemetery isn't.

 

[SoothingDave]

I had no idea this distinction existed. I thought a "graveyard" was just a less euphemistic name for the same thing.

 

[BobSmith]

I had no idea this distinction existed. I thought a "graveyard" was just a less euphemistic name for the same thing.

Same here (maybe it's not as distinctive in AmE?). I would add that because, as Dave suggested, "graveyard" is less euphemistic, I feel I've heard it more used with ghost stories and the like.

1: How did you know that quote was from R. L. Stine and not E.B. White?
2: Because he used "graveyard" instead of "cemetery"!
1: :roll:

(Ok, that's pretty contrived )

 

[dut_thinker]

Thank you so much for all your replies.
Here I can conclude: The difference between cemetery and graveyard is not concerned about BrE or AmE. Graveyard is a place near to the church, but cemetery is not. Cemetery sounds more euphemistic than graveyard.