laity
LAY-ih-tee
/ˈleɪəti/
Lay people, as distinct from the clergy; ordinary people who are not members of a given profession.
In a religious context, it means the congregation. In a secular context, it means non-experts (e.g., 'the laity' vs. 'the medical profession').
The story behind the word. From the Greek 'laikos', meaning 'of the people'. It was used to distinguish the 'common people' from the specialized class of priests or experts.
Word relationships
- laypeople: Laypeople is the more common, slightly less formal plural noun.
- congregation: Congregation refers to the people gathered for worship; laity refers to their status as non-clergy.
- clergy: The clergy are the ordained leaders; the laity are the followers.
Commonly confused with
- layman: A layman is an individual; laity is the collective group.
Word family
- lay (adjective): Not ordained; non-professional.
Collocations
- the Catholic laity
- members of the laity
- lay participation
Example sentences
- "The new policy encourages more participation from the laity in parish decisions." Church administration.
- "The legal jargon was difficult for the laity to understand without a lawyer's help." Professional vs. Non-professional.
Memory hook
The LAITY are the ones who LAY in the pews while the clergy stands. The people, not the priests.
When not to use
Don't use if you are referring to people who are simply 'uneducated'; it specifically means they are outside a professional or ordained group.
Fun facts
- The term 'layman's terms' comes from this word, meaning to explain something so an ordinary person can understand it.
Explore more words
laicization, secular, clerical, profane, grassroots, anticlerical
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