adjective
lay
Outside a profession's formally qualified membership.
Lay members of the church help organize the weekly services.
Etymology
Greek laikos meant belonging to the people. From those outside the clergy, lay extended to people outside any specially trained professional group.
More examples
- The scientist explains her research to a lay audience.
- Can you explain the diagnosis in lay terms?
- A lay minister leads the prayers when the pastor is away.
Forms
lay
laity noun — Religious members who are not ordained clergy.
layperson noun — Someone outside the clergy or a profession.
Similar words
- nonprofessional
- Can emphasize amateur status rather than lack of formal qualifications.
- nonspecialist
- Emphasizes lacking specialized expertise rather than formal professional membership.