laity

[ ley-i-tee ]

noun

1. the body of religious worshipers, as distinguished from the clergy.
2. the people outside of a particular profession, as distinguished from those belonging to it:

   the medical ignorance of the laity.

laity

/ ˈleɪɪtɪ /

noun

1. laymen, as distinguished from clergymen
2. all people not of a specific occupation

Word History and Origins

Origin of laity¹

First recorded in 1535–45; lay ³ + -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of laity¹

C16: from lay ³

Example Sentences

“What happened was the laity stopped being interested in it,” Kelly said.

From Seattle Times

“But in practice, at least among laity, but also many pastors, especially in fundamentalist and evangelical circles, there’s an unspoken understanding that it’s basically true.”

From Slate

“Bishop Gumbleton was a faithful son of the Archdiocese of Detroit, loved and respected by his brother priests and the laity for his integrity and devotion to the people he served,” said Archbishop Allen Vigneron.

From Seattle Times

On Friday, nearly 40 people picketed at Hotel Figueroa — seven of them hotel housekeepers alongside about 30 community members and religious leaders with Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, a faith-based advocacy group based near downtown.

From Los Angeles Times

Insp Laity said he did not have an exact number for how many residents were still inside the cordon, but added the number was believed to be "minimal".

From BBC

Related Words

• laymen