laissez
laissez — noun
1. an economic approach where the government avoids making rules about how business
an economic approach where the government avoids making rules about how businesses buy and sell, preferring to let the market run without interference
Switzerland's long tradition of economic laissez-faire attracted businesses from all over the world.
collocation: 'economic laissez-faire' for the policy sense
The finance minister argued that laissez-faire would spark more growth than heavy government control.
Critics of laissez-faire point to child labour in Manchester's cotton mills as a lasting warning.
After the crash of 1929, many nations moved away from laissez-faire and began regulating their banks.
Professor Okafor's lectures on laissez-faire traced the concept from Adam Smith to today's free-trade agreements.
- free market
broader term; laissez-faire emphasises the absence of government intervention specifically
- deregulation
the active process of removing rules; laissez-faire can be a long-term philosophy rather than a change
- economic liberalism
the wider political philosophy; laissez-faire is its practical expression in trade policy
- state control
implies direct government ownership or management, not just rules
文法句型
economic laissez-faire
laissez-faire + in [country/period]
用法筆記
A term from economics. Distinguish from noun/2 (HANDS-OFF STANCE): this sense is about government regulation of markets, not personal non-interference.
常見錯誤
2. the practice of letting people manage their own affairs without stepping in or t
the practice of letting people manage their own affairs without stepping in or trying to direct what happens
Principal Okonkwo's laissez-faire gave every teacher the freedom to design their own lessons.
possessive: [person]'s laissez-faire gave [group] freedom to act
Jin-ho practised laissez-faire at home, so his children decided their own bedtimes and ate ice cream for breakfast.
Writers at the magazine valued the editor's laissez-faire after years of strict oversight elsewhere.
Too much laissez-faire from the building manager left broken lights unfixed for months.
Fatima tried laissez-faire with her project team, but several members asked for clearer daily instructions.
- non-interference
more neutral; often used in political or diplomatic contexts
- permissiveness
suggests allowing behaviour that others might restrict
- hands-off approach
informal equivalent; common in management and parenting contexts
- meddling
informal; implies unwanted interference
文法句型
laissez-faire + about [topic]
laissez-faire + toward(s) [person/group]
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun/1 (FREE-MARKET SYSTEM): this sense describes personal non-interference in everyday situations, not government economic policy.
常見錯誤
laissez — adjective
- laissezpositive
- more laissezcomparative
- most laissezsuperlative
1. describing a government or organisation that chooses not to control how companie
describing a government or organisation that chooses not to control how companies trade, trusting the free market to sort things out
The newly elected government in Portugal promised a laissez-faire economy, cutting the licences small bakeries needed to open.
laissez-faire + economy for describing a national economic stance
Textile exporters in Bangladesh welcomed the government's laissez-faire stance on import duties for raw cotton.
Sven warned that laissez-faire policies had left the housing market open to risky speculation.
Tariq's laissez-faire approach to running the trade department won support from big manufacturing firms.
Critics called the mayor's laissez-faire attitude toward street vendors a sign of weak leadership.
- deregulated
implies rules were removed; laissez-faire can describe a system that was never regulated
- free-market
broader; laissez-faire stresses the absence of intervention more sharply
- non-interventionist
used more often in foreign policy; laissez-faire is the standard term in economics
- interventionist
describes a government that actively manages the economy
文法句型
laissez-faire + policies/economics/approach
laissez-faire + stance on [economic issue]
用法筆記
Always describes policies, governments, institutions, or economic approaches. Distinguish from adj/2 (NON-INTERFERING), which applies to personal behaviour and everyday situations.
常見錯誤
2. choosing not to step in or tell other people what to do, even when things may be
choosing not to step in or tell other people what to do, even when things may be drifting off course
The head nurse was laissez-faire about visiting hours, so families came and went all day long.
laissez-faire + about [topic] for describing a relaxed stance
Ananya's laissez-faire parenting let her daughter paint the bedroom walls bright purple.
The café had a laissez-faire feel — nobody rushed you to order or pushed you to leave.
Ravindra's laissez-faire manner at the youth club meant the teenagers shared their worst fears without hesitation.
Diego grew frustrated with his landlord's laissez-faire response to the broken heating system.
- hands-off
informal equivalent; laissez-faire is more formal and carries the weight of the original French phrase
- non-interfering
plain English alternative; lacks the philosophical overtones of laissez-faire
- permissive
often used of parenting; emphasises what is allowed rather than the absence of control
- controlling
stronger; implies actively directing others' behaviour
- meddlesome
informal; suggests unwanted and annoying interference
文法句型
laissez-faire + attitude/parenting/management
laissez-faire + about [matter]
用法筆記
Describes personal conduct and everyday attitudes. Distinguish from adj/1 (NON-REGULATORY), which is limited to government and economic policy. Frequently used with 'attitude', 'approach', 'parenting', and 'management style'.