layman

noun

ˈlā-mən How to pronounce layman (audio)
Definition of laymannext
as in amateur
a person who regularly or occasionally engages in an activity as a pastime rather than as a profession the discussion about investing was geared more to the layman than to the professional investor

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of layman In the United States, the layman can do this any day of the week, especially Saturday, if the weather is nice. — Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026 What may shock the layman, though, is that all three of those schools also have strong baseball programs as well. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026 Redick said Vanderbilt required what is called a reduction; which in layman’s terms, is maneuvering the bone back into it’s socket. — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 6 May 2026 Some prominent conservative Catholic laymen, like Fox News host Sean Hannity, have risen to Trump’s defense. — W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for layman
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layman
  1. amateur
  2. tinkerer
Noun
  • The former amateur champ, who looks great in a bikini, is working with coach Dirk Dzemski.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Either way, many of the milestones of the past 50 years of horror filmmaking originated with a similar band of amateurs operating outside the studios, learning on the job.
    — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of amateur
Noun
  • Later, she’s taken in by a tinkerer with a tiny cult, and bonds with another woman there.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • How did the behind-the-scenes tinkerer become the singer in his band?
    — Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of tinkerer

Browse Nearby Words

lay low
layman
laymen
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Cite this Entry

“Layman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layman. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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