de facto
Pronunciation:
/dɪˈfæktəʊ//dɪˈfæktoʊ/noun
Definitions
A legally undeclared spouse; a partner in a spousal relationship which is not officially declared as a marriage, comparable to a common law husband or wife.
adjective
Definitions
In fact or in practice; in actual use or existence, regardless of official or legal status. (Often opposed to de jure.)
Example: Although the United States currently has no official language, it is largely monolingual with English being the de facto national language.
adverb
Definitions
(modal) In practice; in actual use or existence, regardless of official or legal status.