# fait

/ˈfeɪt/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fait
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

a fact or a situation that is already finished and cannot be changed. It is often used to describe something that has happened and is now a permanent part of history.

For teachers: a fact or situation that has already occurred and is now irreversible. Often used in the phrase 'fait accompli' to describe a decision or event that has been completed before others can react to it.

## Examples

- The new law is a fait accompli and cannot be changed now.
- By the time the board met to discuss the merger, the deal was already a fait accompli.
- The diplomat's sudden resignation was a fait accompli, leaving the administration scrambling to find a replacement before the summit began.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.