English Explanatory Dictionary

laissez faire

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A policy of governmental non-interference in economic affairs.
  2. A policy of non-interference by authority in any competitive process.
adj
  1. Practicing or representing governmental noninterference, or minimal interference, especially in economic affairs; pertaining to free-market capitalism.
  2. Advocating such noninterference.
  3. Resulting from such noninterference.
  4. Avoiding interference in other people's affairs; choosing to live and let live.

Pronunciation

/ˈlæseɪ ˌfɛə(ɹ)/ /ˈleɪseɪ ˌfɛə(ɹ)/ lĕs'ā fârʹ lĕz'ā lā'sā lā'zā /ˌlɛ(ˌ)seɪ ˈfɛəɹ/ /ˌleɪ-/ /-(ˌ)zeɪ/ en-us-laissez faire.ogg en-au-laissez faire.ogg

Word forms

laissez faire laissez-faire laisser faire laisser-faire more laissez faire most laissez faire

Etymology

Borrowed from French laissez faire (“leave it be”, literally “let do”).

Synonyms

forbearing hands off indulgent avuncular broad-minded catholic latitudinarian laissez faire lenient liberal open-handed open-minded permissible permissive sufferable tolerant

Related words

benign neglect hands off laissez aller laissez-passer let it be let nature take its course
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