de fac·to  

noun
1. in fact; in reality: Although his title was prime minister, he was de facto president of the country. Although the school was said to be open to all qualified students, it still practiced de facto segregation.
2. actually existing, especially when without lawful authority ( distinguished from de jure ).
3. Australian. a person who lives in an intimate relationship with but is not married to a person of the opposite sex; lover.
4. A Latin term, loosely meaning "of the fact". An adjective describing something that exists or happens as a result of tradition or culture. Not normally used as an urban slang term, but as a historical/legal phase

Origin: 
1595–1605;  < Latin dē factō  literally, from the fact

Can be confused: de facto, de jure.