What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
kirkyard
Example
The old kirkyard was filled with ancient gravestones and monuments. [kirkyard: noun]
Example
The family gathered in the kirkyard to pay their respects to their loved one. [kirkyard: noun]
graveyard
Example
The graveyard was filled with rows of identical headstones. [graveyard: noun]
Example
The town council decided to expand the graveyard to accommodate more burials. [graveyard: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Graveyard is more commonly used than kirkyard in everyday language. Graveyard is a more general term that covers a wider range of burial places, while kirkyard is a more specific term that is associated with a church or religious institution.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between kirkyard and graveyard?
Both kirkyard and graveyard are generally informal terms, but kirkyard may have a more historic or traditional connotation that could make it seem more formal in certain contexts.
