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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Recent Examples of layman
Space is full of mysteries that can't be easily explained by the layman, and this latest one from a isn't likely to sour anyone on their fascination with space.
—
Adam Harrington, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
For laymen, these molecules are involved in chemical reactions that lead to more complex molecules essential to organic life.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025
Still, this hasn't quelled the anxieties of anyone with a professional or layman's interest in space science.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
In layman’s speak, the BCI , or brain-computer interface, allows Arbaugh to control a computer with his mind.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for layman
Adam Harrington, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
For laymen, these molecules are involved in chemical reactions that lead to more complex molecules essential to organic life.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025
Still, this hasn't quelled the anxieties of anyone with a professional or layman's interest in space science.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
In layman’s speak, the BCI , or brain-computer interface, allows Arbaugh to control a computer with his mind.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for layman
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layman
Noun
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What Vickers first noticed then — and what has been borne out in numerous experiments over the decades since — is that, before initiating an action, elite athletes fixate on a target of interest earlier and for longer than amateurs do.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Athletes are no longer amateurs, even in name.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Rather than targeting end users, the company aims to empower developers, researchers, and tinkerers to create breakthrough humanoid applications without building full robots from scratch.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
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Dedicated sports engineers and tinkerers alike continue to fine tune specialized skate designs.—
Mark Hay,
Popular Science,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Layman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layman. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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