cemetery

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "cemetery" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a place where people are buried, usually in the form of a graveyard. Example sentence: "We visited the local cemetery on Memorial Day to pay our respects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Chadwick's most novel proposal – attempting to address the complaint that the poor would struggle to afford travel to distant cemeteries – was to suggest that the "chief metropolitan cemetery should be in some eligible situation accessible by water-carriage".

The Guardian

A €53.4m arena, Espanyol's new home occupies 81,163 square metres, has 40,500 seats breathing down the players' necks, solar panels on the roof, and even a cemetery for pericos who have passed away.

The Guardian - Sport

It was in this cemetery where my father revealed to me the journey the human body takes after death, after the body is embalmed, after nature finally takes its course and decomposition occurs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ultimately Harriet's search led her to found Memorials by Artists, an organisation to help other bereaved families commission unique pieces of commemorative art and navigate cemetery rules.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Those vestries unwilling to or incapable of making their own separate arrangements to build a new cemetery could either amalgamate into unions, buy space in the joint-stock-company cemeteries or cut deals with their neighbours.

The Guardian

Yet, despite the ravages of time, changing customs, vicissitudes of fashion, the Victorian garden cemetery still survives in its various forms, one of the great legacies of the 19th century.

The Guardian

The cemetery itself was very much in the garden style, "visited by large numbers of persons, as it is laid out like a splendid park, and its walks afford the advantages of a perfect promenade".

The Guardian

I spent a great deal of time in the cemetery with my father, where we'd walk the shady paths and monitor the graves and tombstones.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Most of us who have lived in Canberra for any time have stood out there amid whipping winds or under a baking sun at the Australian capital's biggest cemetery.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The anniversary ceremony will begin in the morning with a wreath-laying event at the Soldiers National Cemeteryy.

The Guardian

St Mary Islington, for example, home to Jones's rubbish dump, bought some of the St Pancras cemetery for its own use.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "cemetery", consider the specific type of cemetery you're describing. Is it a historic cemetery, a military cemetery, or a pet cemetery? Being specific adds depth and clarity.

Common error

Avoid overly euphemistic language when referring to a "cemetery". While terms like "resting place" can be appropriate in certain contexts, overuse can obscure meaning and sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The word "cemetery" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a specific place dedicated to the burial of the dead. Ludwig confirms this usage, showing numerous examples where "cemetery" clearly names a location.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Travel

12%

Lifestyle

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "cemetery" is a common noun used to describe a burial ground. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correct grammatical usage and frequent occurrence in various contexts, particularly in news and media, travel, and lifestyle content. While alternatives like "graveyard" and "burial ground" exist, "cemetery" provides a general and widely understood term for this concept. When using the term, consider the specific type of "cemetery" you're referencing, and avoid overly euphemistic language for clarity. As Ludwig confirms, the word is grammatically sound and used appropriately in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Graveyard

A more common and general term for a burial ground.

Burial ground

Emphasizes the act of burying the dead.

Burying ground

An older, slightly archaic term for a cemetery.

Memorial park

Highlights the park-like setting and memorial aspects.

Necropolis

A more formal and ancient term for a city of the dead.

Churchyard

Specifically refers to a burial ground associated with a church.

Memorial garden

A garden specifically designed for remembering the deceased.

Garden of remembrance

Focuses on the memorial and reflective aspects of the space.

Final resting place

Similar to resting place but emphasizes the permanence.

Resting place

A more poetic and euphemistic term.

FAQs

What is another word for "cemetery"?

Synonyms for "cemetery" include "graveyard", "burial ground", and "memorial park". The choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it correct to say "cemetary" instead of "cemetery"?

No, "cemetary" is a misspelling. The correct spelling is "cemetery".

How do I use "cemetery" in a sentence?

You can use "cemetery" to describe a place where the dead are buried. For example, "We visited the local "cemetery" to pay our respects."

What is the difference between a "cemetery" and a "graveyard"?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, "graveyard" traditionally refers to a burial ground associated with a church, whereas "cemetery" is a more general term for a burial ground.