de facto

[ dee fak-toh, dey ]

/ di ˈfæk toʊ, deɪ /

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See synonyms for de facto on Thesaurus.com

adverb, adjective

in fact; in reality: 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.

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

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

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Origin of de facto

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH de facto

de facto , de jure

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use de facto in a sentence

The central issue is de facto immunity traditionally given to bishops and cardinals.
How Pope Francis Became the World’s BFF|Jason Berry|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The language of this bill is a de facto abortion ban for most pregnant federal prisoners.
The GOP’s Hidden Ban on Prison Abortions|Harold Pollack|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Any news group that aims for the elusive ideal of objectivity is de facto liberal, in their view.
Pew Study: Americans Are Self-Segregating Amid Proliferating Partisan Media|John Avlon|October 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Use him as the poster child for a nasty, devilish lobbying group being the de facto fourth branch of government.
Where the Hell Is the Surgeon General?|Roland S. Martin|October 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Politico reported over the weekend that Sharpton is the de facto liaison for the White House regarding the shooting in Ferguson.
There's No Such Thing as 'Black America'|Ron Christie|August 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They thought of them most in their lay capacity of de facto Government agents all over the Islands.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
We dismiss it without further comment—and with it Colonization in toto—and Mr. Birney de facto.
The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States|Martin R. Delany
Mrs. Bays and her husband had driven to town, and there was no need for ex post facto resolutions.
A Forest Hearth: A Romance of Indiana in the Thirties|Charles Major
They say the Taupou had a gun and fired; probably an excuse manufactured ex post facto.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 25 (of 25)|Robert Louis Stevenson
We are inclined to turn from them to the intellectual monarchs de facto.
Humanly Speaking|Samuel McChord Crothers

British Dictionary definitions for de facto

de facto

/ (deɪ ˈfæktəʊ) /

adverb

in fact

adjective

existing in fact, whether legally recognized or nota de facto regime Compare de jure

noun plural -tos

Australian and NZ a de facto husband or wife

Word Origin for de facto

C17: Latin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for de facto

de facto

[ (di fak-toh, day fak-toh) ]

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.)

de facto

Origin of de facto

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH de facto

Words related to de facto

How to use de facto in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for de facto

Word Origin for de facto

Cultural definitions for de facto