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de facto

[ dee fak-toh, dey ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adverb

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.
actually existing, especially when without lawful authority ( 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.

de facto

/ deɪ ˈfæktəʊ /

adverb

in fact

adjective

existing in fact, whether legally recognized or not Compare de jure
a de facto regime

noun

a de facto husband or wife

de facto

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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Word History and Origins

Origin of de facto¹

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of de facto¹

C17: Latin

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

As tensions spiral, India has alleged firing by Pakistan along the Line of Control, the de facto border between the two countries, for four nights in a row.

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The de facto government of Sudan says it will contact Interpol and Unesco to attempt to recover artefacts looted from the National Museum and elsewhere.

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The US deal offers American legal acceptance of Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and de facto recognition of Russian control of other occupied areas, including all of Luhansk region.

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Trump is correct that there is little chance of Ukraine regaining Crimea in the foreseeable future, and it is in reality - de facto - under Russian control.

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In return, the US would accept the four occupied territories de facto as Russian controlled.

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Related Words

existing

deface de facto segregation

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