Meaning

Layperson, someone who is not an ordained cleric or member of the clergy..

Definitions by Sense

1. Layperson, someone who is not an ordained cleric or member of the clergy.
2. (by extension) Someone who is not a professional in a given field.
3. A common person.
4. A person who is untrained or lacks knowledge of a subject.
5. Lay-sister or lay-brother, person received into a convent of monks, following the vows, but not being member of the order.

Example Sentences

Carmen is not a professional anthropologist, but strictly a layman.

Let me explain it to you [[in layman's terms|in layman's terms]].

The layman, perhaps, is not fully aware to what extent even the popular reputations of scientists and scholars are made by that class and are inevitably affected by its views on subjects which have little to do with the merits of the real achievements.

should he be held to be just a layman, or does he have some art?

Word Forms

• laymen

Synonyms for layman

Antonyms for layman

Related Words

When Should You Use Layman?

Use layman when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions