de facto

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   existing or operating in practice, even without an official title or formal recognition

   Although her title never changed, she became the de facto leader of the team.

2. 2
   adv

   in practice or in reality, whether or not officially recognized

   The unused rule has de facto ceased to apply.

Simplified etymology

De facto comes directly from Latin and literally means “of fact.”

Borrowed from Latin de facto, meaning according to fact.

Topics

External links

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• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary