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
So these two feel like the perfect guides to help a layman understand the Musk phenomenon.
—
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Both professionals and laymen have developed an interest in tracking litigation because of the broad range of industries and people affected by the administration’s changes, experts and media professionals said.
—Surina Venkat, The Hill, 1 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for layman
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Both professionals and laymen have developed an interest in tracking litigation because of the broad range of industries and people affected by the administration’s changes, experts and media professionals said.
—Surina Venkat, The Hill, 1 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for layman
Recent Examples of Synonyms for layman
Noun
-
Fellow amateur Asterisk Talley had an early double bogey in a 70 in the 17-year-old's first start since losing the lead on the back nine at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Given these circumstances, most of the music written for mandolin (eighty-five volumes were published in Paris between 1761 and 1783) was intended for amateurs, often women.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Mac mini has become a status symbol among AI tinkerers, and some analysts say the device’s growing popularity may preface a broader shift in how people use computers.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Cronenworth has always been quite the worker and quite the tinkerer in the cage.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Layman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/layman. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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