layperson

A layperson is a person who is not a member of a particular profession, occupation, or specialized group, and who typically lacks formal training in that field. The term is often used to distinguish non-experts from professionals such as doctors, lawyers, scientists, or clergy. While a layperson may have practical experience, their knowledge is not assumed to meet professional standards or certifications.

In medicine and health care, laypersons include patients and caregivers; information or instructions labeled as “for laypersons” are intended to be accessible to non-specialists. In law, journalism, and science, lay language and lay summaries aim to convey complex concepts to a general audience, avoiding jargon. Religious contexts distinguish laypeople from the clergy, monks, or ordained ministers.

Etymology and usage: The term lay derives from the Latin laicus via Old French and English usage in religious contexts as non-ordained members; over time it broadened to denote non-professionals in other domains. Layperson is the gender-neutral form; layman is the traditional, gender-specific variant, though less favored in contemporary usage.

Related terms include layman or laywoman (less preferred today) and nonexpert. The concept underpins science communication, patient education, legal accessibility, and public policy discussions about expertise and authority.