De-facto meaning

dĭ făk'tō, dā
The definition of de facto is something real, but not formally accepted.

An example of something de facto is a rule that people always follow even though it is not an official procedure, a defacto procedure.

An example of something de facto is a person who functions as a parent even though they are not related to the child, a defactor parent.

adjective
4
2
Existing in actuality, especially when contrary to or not established by law.

De facto segregation; a de facto government.

adjective
3
0
Existing or being such in actual fact or for all practical purposes, though not by legal establishment, official recognition, etc.

A de facto government.

noun
2
0
In fact. Description of a person or action that exists for all intentions and purposes, but which lacks official legitimacy.
adjective
1
0
From Latin, literally from what is done, meaning in fact. See also standard.
0
0
Advertisement
(modal) In practice; in actual use or existence, regardless of official or legal status.
adverb
0
0
In fact or in practice; in actual use or existence, regardless of official or legal status. (Often opposed to de jure.)

Although the United States currently has no official language, it is largely monolingual with English being the de facto national language.

adjective
0
0
(Australia, New Zealand) A legally undeclared spouse.
noun
0
0
(legally undeclared spouse): common law wife.
hyponyms
0
0
De facto is defined as actually.

An example of de facto used as an adverb is in the phrase "de facto listening" which means actually listening.

adverb
0
1
Advertisement

Origin of de-facto

Latin dē factō dē from, according to factō ablative of factum fact

Sentence Examples

  • Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix: Before Street Fighter IV and Super Street Fighter IV arrived on the scene, this was the de-facto fighting game to play on the PlayStation 3.

  • Although his de facto sovereignty was confined to the town of Laon and to some places in the north of France, Louis displayed a zeal beyond his years in procuring the recognition of his authority by his turbulent vassals.

  • In particular, his acceptance of the crown would have guaranteed his followers, under the act of Henry VII., from liability in the future to the charge of high treason for having given allegiance to himself as a de facto king.

  • When the Visconti dynasty ended by the dukes death in 1447, he pretended to espouse the cause of the Milanese republic, which was then re-established; but he played his cards so subtly as to make himself, by the help of Cosimo de Medici in Florence, duke de facto if not de jure.

  • After the taking of Constantinople in 1452, the Russian metropolitans were always chosen and consecrated in Russia, appeals ceased, and Moscow became de facto autocephalous (Joyce, ubi sup. p. 379; Mouravieff, op. cit.

More sentences →

Words near de-facto in the Dictionary