adj · noun · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
UK:/ˈlæseɪ ˌfɛə(ɹ)/
UK:/ˈleɪseɪ ˌfɛə(ɹ)/
General-American:lĕs'ā fârʹ
General-American:lĕz'ā
General-American:lā'sā'
General-American:lā'zā'
General-American:/ˌlɛ(ˌ)seɪ ˈfɛəɹ/
General-American:/ˌleɪ-/
General-American:/-(ˌ)zeɪ/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Australia:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ɛə(ɹ)
1
adj
Meaning 1
Practicing or representing governmental noninterference, or minimal interference, especially in economic affairs; pertaining to free-market capitalism.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: economics, government, politics, sciences
Examples
I think the city should take a laissez faire approach to this; getting involved would only make things worse.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Advocating such noninterference.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: economics, government, politics, sciences
Examples
The Senator claims to be laissez faire, but he voted in favor of the subsidies.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
Resulting from such noninterference.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: economics, sciences
Examples
The price ceiling was well below the laissez faire price that demand would have supported, so there were always shortages.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adj
Meaning 4
Avoiding interference in other people's affairs; choosing to live and let live.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
