Despite the lack of official acknowledgment, he became the de facto leader of the group, making all the key decisions.
synonyms
in practicein effect
word origin — Latin, meaning 'from the fact'
de facto, aloof, emaciated, intrinsic, infallible: meanings and examples
Learn these 5 words from TOEFL Vocabulary set 179. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.
de facto · adjective/dɪ ˈfækˌtoʊ/
in practice or effect but not formally recognized
Despite the lack of official acknowledgment, he became the de facto leader of the group, making all the key decisions.
Synonyms: in practice, in effect
Origin: Latin, meaning 'from the fact'
aloof · adjective/əˈluf/
not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant
Despite her impressive resume, she remained aloof during the interview, making it hard for the panel to connect with her.
Synonyms: distant, detached, unfriendly
Origin: Early 17th century: from the phrase 'a loof', meaning 'at a distance', derived from Dutch 'aflof' (ocean current), combined with 'a' from 'a' plus 'loof' (origin unknown).
emaciated · adjective/ɪˈmeɪʃieɪtɪd/
extremely thin and weak, especially because of illness or lack of food
The emaciated dog timidly approached the bowl of food, its ribs visible beneath its thin fur.
Synonyms: thin, gaunt, scrawny
Origin: The word 'emaciated' comes from the Latin 'emaciatus,' the past participle of 'emaciare,' which means 'to make thin,' from 'e-' (a variant of 'ex-', meaning 'out of') and 'macies' (meaning 'leanness').
intrinsic · adjective/ɪnˈtrɪn.zɪk/
belonging naturally; essential
The intrinsic value of a piece of art lies in its ability to evoke emotions and provoke thought.
Synonyms: innate, inherent, essential
Origin: From Latin 'intrinsecus', meaning 'inward, inner'
infallible · adjective/ɪnˈfælɪbəl/
incapable of making mistakes or being wrong
Many people believe that the author's infallible logic leaves no room for doubt in his arguments.
Synonyms: unerring, flawless, unbeatable
Origin: from Latin 'infallibilis', from 'in-' meaning 'not' + 'fallere' meaning 'to deceive or fail'