Although his title was prime minister, he was de facto president of the country. Although the school was said to be open to all qualified students, it still practiced de facto segregation.
2.
actually existing, especially when without lawful authority (distinguished from de jure).
3.
Australian. a person who lives in an intimate relationship with but is not married to a person of the opposite sex; lover.
Origin
1595-1605; < Latindē factō literally, from the fact
But when they try to make their ideas a de facto facts, then we have problems.
In this prominent position, she's making her own de facto debut as a writer with a message for the general public.
Those that need capital will find it, even if it takes de facto nationalization.
Menzie Chinn points out that rising oil prices act as a de facto barrier to trade, because shipping gets more expensive.
The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969.
Others worked as drivers under overseers, but were de facto managers.
As the kids get older, leagues that operate through the winter become de facto high school tryouts.
The irony is that, were the gap to disappear, there would be a de facto tightening of monetary policy.
As the latter's de facto guardian, he gleefully signed his report cards.
Uniform driver's licenses could become de facto national identification cards.
British Dictionary definitions for de facto
de facto
/deɪ ˈfæktəʊ/
adverb
1.
in fact
adjective
2.
existing in fact, whether legally recognized or not: a de facto regime Compare de jure
noun (pl) -tos
3.
(Austral & NZ) a de facto husband or wife
Word Origin
C17: Latin
Word Origin and History for de facto
Latin, literally "in fact, in reality," thus, "existing, but not necessarily legally ordained;" from facto, ablative of factum "deed, act" (see fact).
de facto in Culture
de facto [(di fak-toh, day fak-toh)]
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.” (Comparede jure.)