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

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

Critics have called the government orders, which came with very little explanation, a de facto licensing scheme.

From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026

“It de facto denies Taiwan its voice as an active entity in international maritime activities.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026

Let me tell you something else about Cade Hernandez: As the school's de facto commander in the Stop Trying to Make Us Stop revolution, he was an expert button pusher.

From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith

Related Words

• existing