Ipso facto Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈɪpsəʊ ˈfæktəʊ/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Phrase

Definition

A Latin phrase meaning “by the very fact” or “by the fact itself”, often used to describe a situation where something is determined or resolved by the circumstances themselves, rather than by additional evidence or conditions.

Examples

• The divorce was granted ipso facto, as the couple had been separated for over a year.
• Ipso facto, the company went bankrupt as soon as the financial reports were made public.

Synonyms

• Per se
• By itself

Antonyms

• Qua
• Perishable

Etymology

The phrase “ipso facto” is derived from Latin, where “ipso” means “by itself” and “facto” means “by fact”. It has been used in English since the 15th century to convey a sense of automatic or inherent consequence.

Additional Information

Ipso facto is often used in legal and technical contexts to describe situations where a specific outcome or consequence is directly implied by a set of circumstances. It can also be used in everyday language to convey a sense of inevitability or automaticity. For example, if a contract specifies that a company must automatically terminate if a certain condition is met, this might be described as an ipso facto termination. On the other hand, if a person’s action is solely based on a single fact, without any consideration of other facts, this too can be described as an ipso facto action.

The key characteristic of ipso facto situations is that they are determined solely by the original circumstances or facts, without any additional input or evidence required. This means that the outcome or consequence is not just probable, but certain, and is directly and automatically triggered by the presence of those circumstances.

In law, ipso facto clauses are commonly used in contracts and agreements to specify the terms and conditions under which a party’s obligations or rights may change or expire. In this context, ipso facto can serve as a mechanism for resolving disputes or obligations without the need for further negotiation or agreement.

The phrase “ipso facto” has also been used in various idiomatic expressions, such as “ipso facto evidence”, which refers to evidence that is directly and automatically implied by a set of circumstances. Another common expression is “ipso facto termination”, which refers to the automatic termination of a contract or agreement due to the occurrence of a specific condition.

Usage Notes

Ipso facto is a formal term that should be used in formal writing, such as academic or technical contexts. In informal writing, a more casual phrase or expression may be used to convey a similar meaning. However, be careful not to use ipso facto in a way that implies automaticity or inevitability when it is not necessarily the case.

When using ipso facto, it’s essential to ensure that the underlying circumstances or facts clearly and directly imply the desired outcome or consequence. If there are any doubts or ambiguities, it may be more suitable to use a different phrase or expression to convey the intended meaning.

Cultural References

The phrase “ipso facto” has been used in various cultural contexts, including literature, film, and music. In literature, the phrase has been used by authors such as Shakespeare and Austen to convey a sense of irony or inevitability. In film, the phrase has been used in comedy and drama to highlight the automatic or predetermined nature of certain events or consequences.

In music, the phrase “ipso facto” has been used by artists such as Kendrick Lamar and The Weeknd to convey a sense of inevitability or destiny. The phrase has also been used in advertising and marketing to highlight the inherent or automatic benefits of a product or service.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• Ipso facto evidence
• Ipso facto termination
• Automatic consequence

Related Words or Phrases

• By the fact itself
• Per se
• De facto

Collocations

• Ipso facto implies
• Ipso facto means that
• Ipso facto results in

Frequency of Use

Ipso facto is a relatively formal term, and its use is mostly confined to technical and academic contexts. However, it can also be used in everyday language to convey a sense of inevitability or automaticity. According to the Corpus of Contemporary American English, the term “ipso facto” appears in about 1 in every 100 million words, indicating that it is a rare but distinctive feature of formal writing and technical contexts.

Common Misspellings

• Ipso Fact
• Ipso Fecto
• Ipso Feco