de facto

American  

[dih fak-toh, dey, dee] / dɪ ˈfæk toʊ, deɪ, di /

adverb

1. in fact; in reality: They are forbidden from leaving the camp, thereby being de facto in a state of detention.

   Although his title was prime minister, he was de facto president of the country.

   They are forbidden from leaving the camp, thereby being de facto in a state of detention.

2. actually existing, especially when without lawful authority (distinguished from de jure).

   He led efforts to reduce de facto segregation in the city's public schools.

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noun

1. Australia. a person who lives with someone in an intimate romantic relationship but is not married to that person.

de facto British  

/ deɪ ˈfæktəʊ /

adverb

1. in fact

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adjective

1. existing in fact, whether legally recognized or not Compare de jure

   a de facto regime

noun

1. a de facto husband or wife

de facto Cultural  

1. Something generally accepted or agreed to without any formal decision in its favor: “They never elected him; he became their leader de facto.” From Latin, meaning “in fact.” (Compare de jure.)

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Etymology

Origin of de facto

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin dē factō literally, “from the fact”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

de facto

Captain Tracy Batteese shuttles people and goods to and from Isle au Haut on the mail boat, which also functions as the island’s de facto ambulance.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

Reaves will become one of the de facto leaders of the Lakers along with Luka Doncic.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

In Australia, co-habiting couples who have lived together for two years are legally considered to be in what is known as a "de facto" relationship.

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

This was the era when Greenspan, supported by fellow Fed Governor Wayne Angell, followed a de facto price rule in setting monetary policy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026

He also invited Hannah Song, his then-boss and de facto guardian, to listen in.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden

Related Words

• existing