Laissez-faire is the policy which is based on the idea that governments and the law should notinterfere with business, finance, or the conditions of people's working lives.
[business]
...a policy of laissez faire.
...the doctrine of laissez-faire and unbridled individualism.
Laissez-faire is also an adjective.
...the Government's laissez-faire attitude toward the use of motor vehicles.
...a laissez-faire policy.
laissez faire in British English
or laisser faire (ˌlɛseɪ ˈfɛə, French lese fɛr)
noun
1.
a. Also called: individualism
the doctrine of unrestricted freedom in commerce, esp for private interests
b.
(as modifier)
a laissez-faire economy
2.
indifference or noninterference, esp in the affairs of others
Derived forms
laissez-faireism (ˌlaissez-ˈfaireism) or laisser-faireism (ˌlaisser-ˈfaireism)
noun
Word origin
French, literally: let (them) act
laissez faire in American English
(ˌlɛseɪˈfɛr)
the policy or practice of letting people act without interference or direction; noninterference; specif., the policy of letting the owners of industry and business fix the rules of competition, the conditions of labor, etc. as they please, without governmental regulation or control
: also sp. ˌlaisˈser faire
Derived forms
laissez-faire (ˌlaisˈsez-faire)
adjective
Word origin
Fr, lit., let (people) do (as they please)
Examples of 'laissez faire' in a sentence
laissez faire
Backing into the kitchen with her loaded tray, Posy pondered on her parents ' laissez faire attitude.
Christina Jones TICKLED PINK (2002)
Rose grinned at this proof of her aunt's laissez faire attitude to guests.
Cathy Kelly JUST BETWEEN US (2002)
We can no longer afford this careless, laissez-faire attitude.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In the season that followed the pandemic year the approach was laissez-faire.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The danger is that an attitude of laissez-faire becomes a pathology.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But such a laissez-faire attitude would be a missed opportunity.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Therefore many people have imagined their defense of laissez-faire capitalism to be similar to that of the neoclassical economists.
Hunt, E. K. Property and Prophets: The Evolution of Economic Institutions and Ideologies (1995)
There needs to be more work on the cumulative effect of residues and this report provides further evidence of a laissez-faire approach.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
I think it gives you more of a laissez-faire attitude.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
At some point, the laissez-faire approach to running an economy bites you hard.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Now, this laissez-faire attitude to food is going to stop.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
If the call is tight between established leader and young rival, there is no justification in a laissez-faire policy.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Pure laissez-faire economics died out in the financial crisis, but is alive and kicking when it comes to sterling.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
That is the verdict of my husband, the youngest of three sons and possessed of a laissez-faire attitude to life.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Britain's system of incentive and bureaucratic infrastructure combined with a laissez-faire policy aimed at stimulation will not succeed at improving our performance.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
laissez-faire
British English: laissez-faire NOUN
Laissez-faire is the policy which is based on the idea that governments and the law should not interfere with business, finance, or the conditions of people's working lives.