How to pronounce graveyard
Say it like GRAY-vyard. Graveyard has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GRAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce graveyard. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GRAY
- vyard
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Graveyard pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- GRAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- vyardGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of graveyard
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: GRAY-vyahd.
What does graveyard mean?
- a tract of land used for burials
Where does graveyard come from?
From grave + yard. Compare West Frisian begraafplak (“graveyard”), Dutch begraafplaats (“graveyard”), Norwegian gravplass (“graveyard”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying graveyard
How do you pronounce graveyard?
Say GRAY-vyard. The American pronunciation is /ˈɡreɪˌvjɑrd/. In British English it is /ˈɡreɪˌvjɑːd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in graveyard?
Graveyard has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GRAY). Broken into parts: GRAY · vyard.
Is graveyard pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈɡreɪˌvjɑːd/ (GRAY-vyahd).