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• laissez faire
  laissez faire

  noun

  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.
• laissez-faire
  laissez-faire

  adjective

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

laissez faire

¹ American  

[les-ey fair, le-sey fer] / ˌlɛs eɪ ˈfɛər, lɛ seɪ ˈfɛr /

Or laisser faire

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.

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laissez-faire ² American  

[les-ey-fair, le-sey-fer] / ˌlɛs eɪˈfɛər, lɛ seɪˈfɛr /

Or laisser-faire

adjective

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

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laissez faire British  

/ ˌlɛseɪ ˈfɛə, lese fɛr /

noun

1. 1. Also called: individualism.  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

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laissez-faire Cultural  

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.

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Usage

What does laissez faire mean? As a noun, laissez faire refers to the practice of allowing people or institutions to act or behave however they want, with little or no interference or regulation. It can also refer to the theory on which such a system is based. The adjective form laissez-faire is used to describe people or things that engage in this practice or that are based on this theory, such as a laissez-faire economy. These terms are especially associated with economics. In this context, they refer to systems in which there are few regulations and little government oversight of how business is conducted. Supporters of free enterprise typically advocate for laissez-faire policies. In contrast, most governments create regulations or provide oversight with the intention of trying to keep the economy fair. The terms can be used more generally in everyday life in the context of people who use laissez faire as an approach to dealing with a situation or who have a laissez-faire attitude. This typically involves a person letting things happen without getting involved. Example: The head of the franchise was known for her philosophy of laissez faire, usually letting the head coach make most of the decisions about the team.

Other Word Forms

• laissez-faireism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of laissez faire¹

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

Origin of laissez-faire²

First recorded in 1815–25

Explanation

Laissez-faire means "leave it alone." Usually it describes the economic policy of a government that stresses non-interference in business. The phrase laissez faire comes from the French phrase laissez faire et laissez passer, "Let be and let pass." This phrase became popular in 18th-century France, where economists suggested the government stay out of business and industry. It might also be applied to situations outside economics where governmental interference in personal activities is avoided or when you take a "hands off" approach to something.

Example Sentences

“Martinez has this laissez faire, savoir-vivre à la française, a little bit leisure from the ’30s, from the golden days,” Cottray, 64, said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

At the same time, the half-century long laissez faire regulatory environment of the U.S. is ending.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

Burden’s family legacy was fractured by infidelity and a laissez faire attitude, at least in the public sphere, toward men behaving badly.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

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

From Salon • Jul. 23, 2024

It was by a fallacy, an oversight, that laissez faire in politics crept into a movement that was before all things an organized denial of laissez faire in economic and social life….

From New Worlds For Old A Plain Account of Modern Socialism by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)