Word
facto
Phoneticsfac·to
/ˈfæktoʊ/
Definition
adj. existing in reality even if it is not official or legal. You use this to describe a situation that is true in practice, regardless of what the rules say.
adj. existing in fact or in practice, whether or not it is legally or formally recognised. Often used to describe a situation that has developed naturally rather than by design.
Examples
“He is the de facto leader of the group.”
“Although she doesn't have the title of manager, she is the de facto head of the department because everyone follows her lead.”
“The border has been closed for decades, making the temporary ceasefire line a de facto international boundary that neither side officially acknowledges but both sides strictly respect.”
Examples
simple
“He is the de facto leader of the group.”
contextual
“Although she doesn't have the title of manager, she is the de facto head of the department because everyone follows her lead.”
complex
“The border has been closed for decades, making the temporary ceasefire line a de facto international boundary that neither side officially acknowledges but both sides strictly respect.”
Usage
Typically used as part of the Latin loan-phrase 'de facto'. It usually precedes the noun it modifies but can also function as an adverb following a verb.
Real-World Examples
“He added: “To meet de facto quotas, employers have had to reach deeper into the pool of less qualified female candidates.” “These FlatSats fit into the Pez dispenser, and this could be perhaps the future space de facto standard for rideshare and mass-produced satellites and constellations.”