Definition

1. Adjective:
   • By right; according to law: Refers to a state, condition, or status that is legally recognized or established, regardless of the factual or practical situation. It describes what is lawful in principle.
2. Adverb:
   • By law; conforming to the law: Describes an action or state that is done or exists in accordance with legal statutes and formal rights.

Usage

• The term de jure is used to contrast with de facto (in fact, in reality). It emphasizes the legal or rightful status of something, as opposed to its actual existence or practice.
• It is often used in formal, legal, political, and academic contexts.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The country sought de jure recognition of its sovereignty from the international community.
  • There is a difference between the de jure head of state and the de facto ruler.
• Adverb:
  • The territory is de jure part of the nation, though it is controlled by separatists.
  • The government ruled de jure, but its authority was weak in many regions.

Advanced Usage

• "De jure segregation": Racial separation that is mandated by law, as opposed to segregation that exists in practice without specific laws ( segregation).
• "De jure standard": A technical standard that is officially established by a recognized standards body, as opposed to one that becomes standard through widespread use.

Variants and Related Words

• De facto (adj., adv.): In fact, in reality. Often used in contrast with .
  • Example: He was the de facto leader, though not the de jure president.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Legal, lawful, legitimate, rightful, statutory.
• Adverb: Legally, rightfully, lawfully, legitimately.

Antonyms

• De facto (when referring to the contrast between legal status and practical reality).

Adjective

1. by right; according to law
   • de jure recognition of the new government

Adverb

1. by law; conforming to the law
   • we are lawfully wedded now