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layperson

layperson

14 4.9
A person who does not have special knowledge or training in a subject
  • noun
  • /ˈleɪˌpɜrsən/
translation icon : lego
  • A layperson user could look that up and figure out how to resolve it.
  • experts and laypersons
  • other laypersons
  • laypersons and professionals

Too fast, right in in laypersons terms, you're going too fast.

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Examples

  • Many terms in the legal documents can be confusing for a layperson who is not familiar with the law.

  • How can a layperson such as myself differentiate from fairly afar?

  • So Richard explained something to the layperson like me.

  • But what you can do is take even a layperson if you direct them in the right way with how you ask for feedback.

  • I would imagine as a layperson that these tools are going to affect the domain world in some capacity.

  • Thanks, Greg: your note makes fascinating points for this interested layperson, and you are absolutely correct.

    Blog text (3)
  • Many of the issues are highly technical and beyond the layperson's grasp.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Where can I find some clear, straightforward, layperson-friendly debunking of that line of thinking?

    Blog text (27)
  • So as a layperson, it can be very difficult to tell if the claims an AI booster are making are the real deal or if it's simply snake oil.

  • It may seem random to the layperson, but that's a sign that the thyroid may be not working well.

Synonyms

layman
vslayperson
43 4.9

A person who is not an expert in a subject

refers to the same idea using a gender-neutral term
secular
vslayperson
1 5.8

A person who is not a member of the clergy

applies more generally to nonmembers of any profession or specialized group
laywoman
vslayperson
1 7.0

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

refers to the same idea using a gender-neutral term
nonspecialist
vslayperson
1 3.9

A person who does not have expert knowledge in a subject

stresses nonmembership in a profession rather than lack of knowledge

Antonyms

3.2

A person who knows a lot about a subject and can help others

401 3.7

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

How Expert

expert
3.2
professional
401 3.7
practitioner
120 4.0
layperson
14 4.9

Surface Forms

layperson singular
laypersons plural

Morphology

layperson = lay + person (transparent) = lay + person

The compound directly combines 'lay' (non-clerical/non-expert) + 'person', so the meaning is directly derivable.

Etymology

The word layperson comes from lay meaning 'not of the church' or 'not a specialist' and person meaning someone, much like the word layman. So, a layperson is a regular person who is not a member of a particular profession or the church leaders.