laissez-faire

Adjective

laissez faire (comparative more laissez faire, superlative most laissez faire)

1. Practicing or representing governmental noninterference, or minimal interference, especially in economic affairs; pertaining to free-market capitalism.
   • I think the city should take a laissez faire approach to this; getting involved would only make things worse.
2. Advocating such noninterference.
   • The Senator claims to be laissez faire, but he voted in favor of the subsidies.
3. Resulting from such noninterference.
   • The price ceiling was well below the laissez faire price that demand would have supported, so there were always shortages.
4. Avoiding interference in other people's affairs; choosing to live and let live.

   Synonyms:

   forbearing, hands off, indulgent, avuncular, broad-minded, catholic, latitudinarian, lenient, liberal, open-handed

See all 6 meanings of laissez faire