de facto

American  

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

adverb

1. in fact; in reality (distinguished from de jure).

   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.

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adjective

1. 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.

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

This drove insurers to combine with providers, PBMs and pharmacies, and to steer revenue to these affiliates to dodge this de facto profit cap.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

Growth was limited, however, as production in OPEC’s de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, was constrained by threats to its key export routes, while a U.S. naval blockade strangled Iranian shipments from the Persian Gulf.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

After communism’s fall, people all over Albania received titles to the property where they lived, once the land was not all de facto owned by the state.

From Slate ● Sep. 8, 2026

Ferguson, however, could be the breakout star this season as a de facto No. 3 receiver.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026

The oohing and aahing people express toward the inky-eyed panda have made the bear not only an international sensation—but the de facto symbol of China itself.

From "Camp Panda" by Catherine Thimmesh

Related Words

• existing