What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
diocese
Example
The diocese of New York is led by Bishop John Smith. [diocese: noun]
Example
The priest was ordained to serve in the diocese of Chicago. [diocese: noun]
archdiocese
Example
The archdiocese of Los Angeles is led by Archbishop Maria Gomez. [archdiocese: noun]
Example
The priest was appointed to serve in the archdiocese of Boston. [archdiocese: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Diocese is more commonly used than archdiocese in everyday language since it is a more general term. Archdiocese is a more specific term and is used less frequently.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between diocese and archdiocese?
Both diocese and archdiocese are formal terms used in the context of the Roman Catholic Church. However, archdiocese is considered more formal due to its higher position in the hierarchy of the church.
