invisible hand

American  

[in-viz-uh-buhl hand] / ɪnˈvɪz ə bəl ˈhænd /

noun

1. (in the economics of Adam Smith) an unseen force or mechanism that guides individuals to unwittingly benefit society through the pursuit of their private interests.

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invisible hand Cultural  

1. A term used by Adam Smith to describe his belief that individuals seeking their economic self-interest actually benefit society more than they would if they tried to benefit society directly. The statement “What's good for the country is good for General Motors, and vice versa” expresses essentially the same belief.

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Etymology

Origin of invisible hand

First recorded in 1775–80

Example Sentences

LNG is that the invisible hand of the market has shaped production increases, flows, and commercial deals.

From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026

Adam Smith’s invisible hand has developed a deranged sense of humor.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 27, 2025

We sometimes talk about these things as if there's an invisible hand that dictates our politics, right?

From Salon • May 2, 2025

It said Ms Wadhwa was “the invisible hand behind everything that had taken place.”

From BBC • Sep. 13, 2024

In Virginia, you could smuggle yourself into Delaware or up the Chesapeake on a barge, evading patrollers and bounty hunters by your wits and the invisible hand of Providence.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead