laissez faire

¹

or lais·ser faire

[ les-ey fair; French le-sey fer ]

noun

1. the theory or system of government that upholds the autonomous character of the economic order, believing that government should intervene as little as possible in the direction of economic affairs.
2. the practice or doctrine of noninterference in the affairs of others, especially with reference to individual conduct or freedom of action.

laissez-faire

²

or lais·ser-faire

[ les-ey-fair; French le-sey-fer ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or conforming to the principles or practices of laissez faire.

laissez faire

/ ˌlɛseɪ ˈfɛə; lese fɛr /

noun

1. 1. Also calledindividualism the doctrine of unrestricted freedom in commerce, esp for private interests
   2. ( as modifier )

      a laissez-faire economy

2. indifference or noninterference, esp in the affairs of others

laissez-faire

1. French for “Let (people) do (as they choose).” It describes a system or point of view that opposes regulation or interference by the government in economic affairs beyond the minimum necessary to allow the free enterprise system to operate according to its own laws.

Derived Forms

• ˌlaissez-ˈfaireism, noun

Other Words From

• laissez-faireism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of laissez faire¹

1815–25; < French: literally, allow to act

Origin of laissez faire²

First recorded in 1815–25

Word History and Origins

Origin of laissez faire¹

French, literally: let (them) act

Example Sentences

There’s a certain live-and-let-live, laissez faire quality to eating like this.

From Salon

To understand how, I think it’s helpful to revisit the classic early American statement against laissez faire economics: Alexander Hamilton’s 1791 Report on the Subject of Manufactures.

From Slate

Laissez faire has long been a redoubt of the political right, but Hamilton’s attack on laissez faire is not a particularly left-wing document.

From Slate

Trump is just really into tariffs, a fetish every bit as odd as the laissez faire totem that every tariff is inherently sinful.

From Slate

Just trying to be laissez faire about it because in my mind, I thought, “OK, is suicide covered?”

From Los Angeles Times