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layman

layman

43 4.9
A person who is not an expert in a subject
  • noun
  • /ˈleɪmən/
translation icon : laico (religión)
  • In discussions about science, it helps to explain things in layman's terms so everyone can understand.
  • in layman's terms
  • a Catholic layman

So woke culture, I believe this is my sort of layman's analysis.

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Examples

  • Sir Thomas More was the only layman invited to the commission.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • I can't expect a layman to understand the complex nature of my research.

  • But the difference between the expert and the layman is one of degree, not kind.

    Academic text (2000)
  • It's worth trying to put it into some sort of layman's terms.

  • What she brings: A layman's view of social services.

    Academic text (2009)
  • Herein lies a difference between the layman and the specialist.

    Academic text (2003)
  • The impulse to popularize philosophy, to make it accessible to the layman, is of course nothing new.

    Academic text (1997)
  • I will say, though, that as a layman, I don't find Mike's method all that "ridiculous."

    Blog text (3)
  • In layman's terms, if you apply a small amount of energy, it liberates an enormous quantity of energy.

  • No one's rights were violated; to say otherwise displays a layman's misunderstanding of the law.

    Blog text (14)

Synonyms

layperson
vslayman
14 4.9

A person who does not have special knowledge or training in a subject

is male-gendered term rather than neutral
secular
vslayman
1 5.8

A person who is not a member of the clergy

also adds non-expert status beyond mere non-membership
laywoman
vslayman
1 7.0

A woman who is not a religious leader or a professional in a field

is the male-gendered general term instead of female-specific
nonspecialist
vslayman
1 3.9

A person who does not have expert knowledge in a subject

also excludes clergy membership and professional standing
uninitiate
vslayman
9.9

A person who is new and has little knowledge of a subject or activity

covers both nonmembership and general non-expert status not just inexperience

Antonyms

401 3.7

A person who has special training and works in a skilled job

73 3.6

A group of religious leaders like priests or pastors who lead Christian services

How Expert

authority
292 4.2
expert
3.2
specialist
352 3.9
practitioner
120 4.0
layman
43 4.9
novice
46 3.4

Surface Forms

layman singular
laymen plural

Morphology

layman = lay + man (transparent) = lay + man

A clear compound of 'lay' (non-clerical/nonexpert) + 'man' (person); the meaning 'non-expert; non-clerical person' follows directly.

Etymology

Layman comes from an old word for 'the people' and shares the same idea as laity. That's why a layman is someone who is not a religious leader or a professional expert.