Definition

A person who is not a member of a particular profession or who does not have specialized knowledge in a specific area.

Example

The doctor explained the complex medical terms in a way that a layperson could understand.

Conversation

I was reading this article about the science behind meditation.

Oh really? Was it easy for a layperson to understand?

Yeah, surprisingly, it explained everything without too much jargon.

That's great! I love when complex topics are made accessible.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Layperson → It is formed from "lay" (from Old English *leah*, meaning not belonging to the clergy or professional class) and "person" (from Latin *persona*, meaning a human being or individual). A layperson refers to an individual who is not a member of a particular profession or specialized field, especially in a religious context.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who is 'not part of the clergy' ('lay') and is simply a 'human being' ('persona'). This helps you remember that a layperson is someone who is not a professional in a specific area.

Visually Confused Words