Word
laity
US/ˈɫeɪəti/
UK/lˈeɪətˌi/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. people who are not members of a religious group or who do not have a special religious job. It usually refers to ordinary people who are not priests, ministers, or monks.
n. the body of ordinary people in a religion who are not members of the clergy or the monastic orders. Often used in the plural to refer to the general public in a secular context.
Examples
“The priest spoke to the laity about the new church rules.”
“The church leadership decided to involve the laity more in the decision-making process for the new community center.”
“While the clergy manage the spiritual aspects of the parish, the laity are responsible for the practical administration and maintenance of the physical buildings.”
Examples
simple
“The priest spoke to the laity about the new church rules.”
contextual
“The church leadership decided to involve the laity more in the decision-making process for the new community center.”
complex
“While the clergy manage the spiritual aspects of the parish, the laity are responsible for the practical administration and maintenance of the physical buildings.”
Real-World Examples
“During COVID-19, for example, the laity did not go into the temples for fear of contracting the virus.” Etymology
From Anglo-Norman laite, from Latin laitas, from Ancient Greek λαός (laós, “people”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/laity