ipso facto

[ ip-soh fak-toh ]

adverb

1. by the fact itself; by the very nature of the deed:

   to be condemned ipso facto.

ipso facto

/ ˈɪpsəʊ ˈfæktəʊ /

adverb

1. by that very fact or act

   ipso facto his guilt was apparent

Word History and Origins

Origin of ipso facto¹

First recorded in 1540–50, ipso facto is from Latin ipsō factō

Word History and Origins

Origin of ipso facto¹

from Latin

Example Sentences

As divided and polarized as we are in our domestic politics, we can hardly expect harmony when showing up at international institutions that ipso facto subsume a “clash of civilizations.”

From Seattle Times

If they do so, the political regime is ipso facto legitimate; if they do not, it is ipso facto illegitimate.

From Salon

The burial of stare decisis leaves us, ipso facto, with a void: Which Latin phrase best describes the legal doctrine of this new era, in which judges rule by whim, not precedent?

From Washington Post

“Whatever conflicts with that reality can be dismissed out of hand because it comes from the liberal media, and is therefore ipso facto not to be trusted.”

From Washington Post

I think it’s quite a different story to say that because people adopt internationally, ipso facto we should bring in hundreds of thousands or millions of people across the globe who want to come here.

From Washington Post

More About Ipso Facto

What does ipso facto mean?

Ipso facto is a Latin adverb translated as by the fact itself, as in Just because Migel answered dishonestly does not ipso facto mean he is incapable of telling the truth.

Ipso facto is used when you want a concise way to explain a consequence, result, or fact. It is most often used in very formal situations, such as in the law or in academics, in which Latin phrases are common. 

Example: When Olivia began leaking private club information, she ipso facto lost their membership to the club.

Where does ipso facto come from?

The first records of the term ipso facto come from around the 1540s. It is an Anglicized version of the Latin ipsō factō, with ipsō meaning “itself” and factō meaning “fact.”

Ipso facto is similar to the phrase in and of itself. In and of itself is also commonly used in formal situations and can be used before or after the action or fact it is connecting to, as in It is not illegal in and of itself and It is not, in and of itself, illegal. Ipso facto, however, is almost always used before, as in It is not ipso facto illegal.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for ipso facto?

• in and of itself

What are some words that share a root or word element with ipso facto? 

• fact

What are some words that often get used in discussing ipso facto?

• action
• court
• law

How is ipso facto used in real life?

Ipso facto is generally only used in formal writing and speaking that often uses Latin phrases, such as in law, science, or academics. 

If you're a young programmer and you can build something your friends consistently use because they actually want it rather than out of loyalty to you, that's ipso facto a good startup idea. No matter how trivial or frivolous it seems initially.

— Paul Graham (@paulg) March 24, 2021

The #USA only lost to #GER 1-0. #BRA are losing 5-0. Ipso facto, the US would beat Brazil 4-0.

— Stars and Stripes FC (@StarsStripesFC) July 8, 2014

Fun fact: performatively chiding people for not being sad about bad things happening to people who do bad things does not, ipso facto, make you a better person.

— daft punky brewster (@BenjaminMillar) March 13, 2020

Updated on February 27, 2023

Try using ipso facto!

True or False?

Ipso facto is most often used in formal writing and speaking.