nonexpert
noun
non·ex·pert
ˌnän-ˈek-ˌspərt 
-ik-ˈspərt
: a person who is not an expert
explained in terms a nonexpert can understand
—often used before another nouna nonexpert user
nonexpert testimony
Examples of nonexpert in a Sentence
as a nonexpert, I enjoy her readable articles on physics and astronomy
Recent Examples on the Web
But nonexperts will struggle to determine what is essential and what is excessive in its highly specialized and technical realm.
—
Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2025
At first glance, and for nonexperts, this letter may appear well reasoned and well sourced.
—Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2025
Even people skilled at communicating scientific principles to nonexperts have been lured into the debate trap.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2023
How can nonexperts figure out what to eat when the experts can’t agree?
—Tamar Haspel, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2023
Now, ChatGPT and similar language processing tools promise to upend medical care again, providing patients with more data than a simple online search and explaining conditions and treatments in language nonexperts can understand.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2023
The often vague language used to describe the science behind these fragrances can also cause confusion for a nonexpert.
—Emily Jensen, Allure, 27 Jan. 2022
As a nonexpert who mainly uses mats for lazily stretching between episodes of romantic Korean dramas, there’s something soothing about a cork surface.
—Vogue, 8 Jan. 2022
Expert ratings of news sources had stronger effects on belief than ratings from nonexpert users, and the effects were even stronger when the rating was low, suggesting the source was likely to be inaccurate.
—Alan R. Dennis, The Conversation, 2 Dec. 2019
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Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2025
At first glance, and for nonexperts, this letter may appear well reasoned and well sourced.
—Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2025
Even people skilled at communicating scientific principles to nonexperts have been lured into the debate trap.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2023
How can nonexperts figure out what to eat when the experts can’t agree?
—Tamar Haspel, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2023
Now, ChatGPT and similar language processing tools promise to upend medical care again, providing patients with more data than a simple online search and explaining conditions and treatments in language nonexperts can understand.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2023
The often vague language used to describe the science behind these fragrances can also cause confusion for a nonexpert.
—Emily Jensen, Allure, 27 Jan. 2022
As a nonexpert who mainly uses mats for lazily stretching between episodes of romantic Korean dramas, there’s something soothing about a cork surface.
—Vogue, 8 Jan. 2022
Expert ratings of news sources had stronger effects on belief than ratings from nonexpert users, and the effects were even stronger when the rating was low, suggesting the source was likely to be inaccurate.
—Alan R. Dennis, The Conversation, 2 Dec. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Nonexpert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonexpert. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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