non-specialist
Not an expert
A non-specialist is someone without expert training or detailed knowledge in a particular field.
The term usually appears when distinguishing audiences or approaches: a guide written for the non-specialist, non-specialist readers may find the jargon confusing.
As an adjective, it describes things accessible to general audiences: non-specialist language, a non-specialist introduction to quantum physics.
Ordinary untrained person
- outsiderOne excluded from group
- civilianNon-military person
- amateurNonprofessional participant
- noviceInexperienced newcomer to field
uninitiated · nonprofessional · nonexpert · untrained · inexperienced · casual · unfamiliar · unschooled
Multi-skilled person
- jack-of-all-tradesMultiskilled non-specialist
- polymathMulti-domain expert
- generalistOne with broad expertise
- broad-basedCovering many areas
cross-disciplinary · interdisciplinary · multidisciplinary · well-rounded · versatile · multiskilled · adaptable · flexible
Inexperienced newcomer to field
- neophyteInexperienced beginner
- newcomerRecent arrival somewhere
- learnerOne gaining knowledge
- traineeOne being instructed
apprentice · student · rookie · greenhorn · tyro · newbie · fledgling · initiate
Recreational pursuer of interests
- dilettanteSuperficial pursuer of arts
- tinkererHobbyist who adjusts mechanisms
- enthusiastArdent admirer of something
- amateurNonprofessional participant
casual · recreational · part-time · weekend · curious · explorer · sampler · experimenter
layman
Ordinary untrained person
novice · uninitiated · nonprofessional · nonexpert · untrained · inexperienced · casual · unfamiliar · unschooled · unacquainted
all-rounder
Multi-skilled person
- jack-of-all-tradesMultiskilled non-specialist
- polymathMulti-domain expert
- generalistOne with broad expertise
broad-based · cross-disciplinary · interdisciplinary · multidisciplinary · well-rounded · versatile · multiskilled · adaptable · flexible · wide-ranging
novice
Inexperienced newcomer to field
trainee · apprentice · student · rookie · greenhorn · tyro · newbie · fledgling · initiate · recruit
hobbyist
Recreational pursuer of interests
- dilettanteSuperficial pursuer of arts
- tinkererHobbyist who adjusts mechanisms
- enthusiastArdent admirer of something
amateur · casual · recreational · part-time · weekend · curious · explorer · sampler · experimenter · interested
- amateursamateur, hobbyist, nonprofessional, dabbler, novice
- generalistsgeneralist, all-rounder, jack of all trades, jack-of-all-trades, polymath
non-specialistprofessional
Credentialed in one's field
practitioner · trained professional · technician · craftsman · tradesman