adjective

de facto

day FAK-toh

De facto (adjective) means existing or holding power in reality, whether or not officially recognised or legally established. Example: “The general became the country's de facto ruler months before the election.”

adjective

Existing or holding power in reality, whether or not officially recognised or legally established.

"The general became the country's de facto ruler months before the election."

"English is the de facto language of international aviation."

adverb

In actual fact, as things really stand rather than as the law or the paperwork says.

"The border has de facto ceased to exist."

How to use de facto

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTrue in practice, even if it is not official.

When to use it

Formal to neutral; very common in law, politics and journalism.

Memory tip

Before a noun it works as an adjective (the de facto capital); after a verb it works as an adverb (they de facto control the region).

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

de jure ipso facto

Common pairings

de facto leader de facto standard de facto control de facto recognition

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “de facto” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The general became the country's _____ ruler months before the election.

Etymology

From Latin de facto, literally 'from the fact' or 'from the deed'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

View more →

actual effective in practice unofficial in reality in effect

Antonyms

de jure official

Related words

really real actually office political minister official officer

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between de facto and de jure?

De facto describes what is actually the case; de jure describes what is the case according to law. A de facto leader really runs the country; a de jure leader holds the legal title, even if they have no real power.

Does de facto need a hyphen or italics?

No hyphen is needed, and it is now common enough in English that italics are optional. Write a de facto standard, not a de-facto standard.

What is a de facto relationship?

In Australian and New Zealand law it is a couple living together as partners without being married. Many legal rights that apply to married couples also apply to de facto partners.

What is the meaning of de facto?

"de facto" (adjective) means existing or holding power in reality, whether or not officially recognised or legally established.

People also searched

really real actually office political minister official officer