The Reality of "De Facto"

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September 11, 2026 Word of the Day de facto [dih fak-toh] adjective:  actually existing Explanation De facto describes something that actually exists, whether or not it has been officially recognized. The phrase comes directly from Latin and means "from the fact." A de facto manager, for example, may hold real power without having an official title. Example: Although he was never formally elected, the general became the de facto leader of the country. See Full Definition Featured Article Make Your Vocabulary Skyrocket with These Space Words Dive into the cosmos by reading about these space terms. Learn their meanings, origins, and roles in our understanding of the universe. Keep Reading Play WordStrike by Dictionary.com Can you unscramble the secret word in 2 shots? Try today's WordStrike, a fun free daily game at Words.com Play Today's Game About Us   Privacy Policy