De facto
WordNet
adjective
(1) Existing in fact whether with lawful authority or not
"De facto segregation is as real as segregation imposed by law"
"A de facto state of war"
adverb
(2) In reality or fact
"The result was, de facto, a one-party system"
WiktionaryText
Adjective
de facto
- Actual.
- Virtual, being such in effect or essence (rather than literally in fact) though not formally or wholly taken for granted, as opposed to de jure.
- Of a political or military leader, exercising power without being legally established.
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- Although the United States currently has no official language, it is largely monolingual with English being the de facto national language.
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- Of hardware or software, being widely used, but not conforming to a standard.
Noun
de facto
- A legally undeclared spouse. Usually spelled defacto.