de facto

noun

UK/ˌdeɪ ˈfæk.təʊ/
US/ˌdeɪ ˈfæk.toʊ/

Definitions of de facto noun

  1. Countable

    a person with whom one lives as if married, though not legally married.

    • They have invited Joanne and her de facto partner for lunch on Sunday.

    • He's felt lonely ever since he split up with his de facto wife.

    • In many countries, de facto spouses have the same rights as married couples.

adjective

UK/ˌdeɪ ˈfæk.təʊ/
US/ˌdɪ ˈfæk.toʊ/

Definitions of de facto adjective

  1. Before noun

    existing in reality, whether by right or not; actual.

    • The city is quickly becoming the de facto center for finance.

    • Even though they aren't married, he is her de facto husband.

    • In many companies, the manager is the de facto head of day-to-day operations.

adverb

UK/ˌdeɪ ˈfæk.təʊ/
US/ˌdɪ ˈfæk.toʊ/

Definitions of de facto adverb

  1. Before noun

    existing in reality, whether by right or not; actual.

    • The city is quickly becoming the de facto center for finance.

    • Even though they aren't married, he is her de facto husband.

    • In many companies, the manager is the de facto head of day-to-day operations.