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Definition of de facto adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

de facto

adjective
 
/ˌdeɪ ˈfæktəʊ/
 
/ˌdeɪ ˈfæktəʊ/
[usually before noun]
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  1. (from Latin, formal) existing as a fact although it may not be legally accepted as existing
    • The general took de facto control of the country.
    Oxford Collocations DictionaryDe facto is used with these nouns:
    • recognition
    See full entry
  2. (Australian English, New Zealand English) (of a relationship) in which two people live together as if they are married, without actually being married
    • John was in a de facto relationship with Dawn for 22 years.
  3. (Australian English, New Zealand English) (of a person or couple) living in a de facto relationship
    • her de facto husband
    4. Word OriginLatin, literally ‘of fact’.
See de facto in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee de facto in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: de facto

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trait
noun
 
 
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