Definition

A woman who is not a professional in a specific field, especially in religion or politics, and is a member of the general public.

Example

The organization held a workshop to help laywomen understand the basics of political campaigning.

Conversation

I read an article about how important it is to include laywomen in political discussions.

That's so true! Their perspectives can really change the conversation.

Exactly! It’s interesting to see how a laywoman can bring fresh ideas to the table.

For sure, we need more voices like that in leadership.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Laywoman → It is formed from "lay" (from Old English *leah*, meaning not belonging to the clergy or not trained in a specific profession) and "woman" (from Old English *wīfman*, meaning female human). The term "laywoman" refers to a woman who is not a member of the clergy or does not have specialized knowledge in a particular field.

Memory Tip

Think of a woman who is 'not trained' in a specific profession ('lay') — that's why a laywoman is someone outside of the clergy or specialized roles.

Visually Confused Words