How to pronounce layman
Say it like LAY-mun. Layman has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce layman. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LAY
- mun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Layman pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- munKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of layman
American and British speakers say layman in essentially the same way: /ˈleɪmən/ in the US and /ˈleɪmən/ in the UK.
British respelling: LAY-mun.
What does layman mean?
- Layperson, someone who is not an ordained cleric or member of the clergy.
- Someone who is not a professional in a given field.“Carmen is not a professional anthropologist, but strictly a layman.”
- A common person.
Where does layman come from?
From Middle English layman, lay man, equivalent to lay (“non-clergy”) + man.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with layman
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of layman.
Questions about saying layman
How do you pronounce layman?
Say LAY-mun. The American pronunciation is /ˈleɪmən/. In British English it is /ˈleɪmən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in layman?
Layman has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAY). Broken into parts: LAY · mun.
Do Americans and Brits say layman the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈleɪmən/ and the British form is /ˈleɪmən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.