laity

Everyday

1. (church) The ordinary members of a church who are not priests, ministers or clergy. tree →
2. People who are not experts in a subject. tree →

In the lessons

In church life lessons: the clergy (priests, vicars, ministers) lead services; the laity are the ordinary churchgoers, who can also read the Bible aloud, sing and help. Adjective: «lay» (a lay reader, a lay preacher). Phrases: «the clergy and the laity».

Examples

• The bishop met with the clergy and the laity. tree →
• Members of the laity read the Bible readings on Sunday. tree →
• My grandmother is a lay reader, one of the laity who helps lead services. tree →
• The laity helped organise the church fete. tree →
• Science books for the laity explain things simply. tree →
• Both clergy and laity sang in the choir. tree →

Note

Usually «the laity», treated as plural or singular. A «layman» or «layperson» is one member. Pronounced LAY-i-tee. Not about «laying» anything.