graveyard
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a place where dead people are buried, usually next to a church.
an area of land, often adjacent to a church, designated for the burial of the dead.
Simple“The old graveyard was filled with tall trees and stone monuments from the 1800s.”
In context“The local historical society maintains the graveyard, ensuring that the weathered headstones remain legible for visiting researchers.”
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a place where old or broken things are kept because they are no longer used.
a location used for the permanent storage or disposal of obsolete or decommissioned items.
Simple“The field behind the factory became a graveyard for rusted old trucks.”
In context“Environmental inspectors raised concerns about the aircraft graveyard, noting that hydraulic fluids were leaking from the abandoned fuselages into the soil.”
Synonymsjunkyardscrapheap - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
the time of night when most people are asleep and there is very little activity.
the period of late night or early morning, typically between midnight and dawn, characterized by minimal activity.
Simple“Working the graveyard shift can be difficult because it changes your sleep schedule.”
In context“The hospital staff on the graveyard shift must remain vigilant despite the profound silence that settles over the wards after midnight.”
UsageUsually used as an adjective before 'shift'.
Synonymslate nightthird shift - 04 C2 Proficiency
a drink made by mixing every available flavor of soda together.
a beverage created by combining all available soft drink varieties from a soda fountain.
Simple“The kids at the party thought it was fun to make a graveyard at the soda machine.”
In context“The teenager dared his friends to drink a graveyard, resulting in a sickly sweet concoction of cola, ginger ale, and fruit punch.”
Teacher's tipThis is a very specific, informal term used mostly by children or teenagers in the US; it is not common in professional or formal settings.
Synonymssuicideswamp water
From grave + yard. Compare West Frisian begraafplak (“graveyard”), Dutch begraafplaats (“graveyard”), Norwegian gravplass (“graveyard”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.