What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
amateur
Example
He's an amateur photographer who enjoys taking pictures in his free time. [amateur: noun]
Example
She has an amateur interest in astronomy and enjoys stargazing. [amateur: adjective]
layman
Example
As a layman, I don't understand the technical jargon used by doctors. [layman: noun]
Example
She has a layman's understanding of economics and finance. [layman: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Amateur is more commonly used than layman in everyday language. Amateur is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while layman is less common and is often used in more formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between amateur and layman?
Layman is generally considered more formal than amateur and is often used in academic or professional contexts.
