laities
/ˈleɪ.ɪ.tiz/
NOUN
1. Members of a religious faith excluding the clergy
Plural form of 'laity', referring to the body of religious believers or worshippers distinct from the clergy or ordained ministers.
1.1. Religious congregations and church governance
Used in theological and ecclesiastical contexts to describe regular church members and laypeople.
Synonyms
- laypeople
- congregations
- parishioners
- believers
- flock
Antonyms
- clergy
- priesthood
- ministry
- hierarchy
Examples
- The conference focused on increasing the active participation of laities in parish administration.
- Historical reforms sought to bridge the gap between the clergy and the various Christian laities.
Related Words
NOUN
2. Uninitiated people outside a particular profession
Non-professionals, laypersons, or outsiders lacking specialized knowledge or membership in a specific expert field.
2.1. General public versus specialized experts
Used to describe ordinary people who do not belong to a particular professional guild, trade, or specialized discipline.
Synonyms
- laypersons
- non-professionals
- outsiders
- amateurs
- general public
Antonyms
- professionals
- experts
- specialists
- practitioners
Examples
- Complex medical terminology often requires translation so that laities can fully understand their diagnoses.
- The seminar was designed to make legal concepts accessible to interested laities.