layperson

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

David and Margaret meet in England in 1963, where David is a popular young priest and Margaret, though a layperson, is working at his side to teach theology to female seminarians.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

He explains why in terms a layperson can understand: “Trains suck up leaves under the wheels and you get black surface on the wheels and if it’s wet it gets really slippery.”

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2024

A layperson might mistake the job that swept her across the ocean as “bodyguard.”

From New York Times • Apr. 7, 2024

“It makes the layperson look back and say, what’s going on? In one year, did they get that much better or is it harder to defend or are they not playing defense?”

From Seattle Times • Feb. 19, 2024

She could tell that Dickinson was a layperson where ships were concerned, and she made smart guesses about where and how Dickinson had obtained her information.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield