Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of referral
Explanation
A referral sends someone somewhere, often for help or advice. You'll need a referral from your doctor in order to see a specialist. You could also receive a referral for a job, if someone passes along your application. If you're dealing with a big company or institution, you might get tired of the endless referrals from one department to another. Remember that referral has two r's in the middle, “rr,” like a growl.
Vocabulary lists containing referral
"Efrén Divided" by Ernesto Cisneros, Chapters 1–5
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Half a World Away
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocabulary for December 17–December 23, 2022
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
She likes the flexible preferred-provider organization, or PPO, design, which lets her see specialists without getting a referral from her primary-care doctor.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Ask, in writing, how he and his firm are compensated if you invest — commissions, placement or referral fees, management fees, carried interest or other compensation.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 12, 2026
Rick Olivarez said at the news conference that his office has not received a complaint or referral regarding the incident.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026
The charges followed an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct after a mandatory referral from the Met Police.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
I tell him that if he feels depressed, he should go to his general physician first and get a referral to a psychopharmacologist and go through the process like I did.
From "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini
“The fact that there are seven referrals, I’m surprised there aren’t more with a family this large. ... I don’t think that’s something that’s perplexing.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
And, as hearings go on, they’ll issue criminal referrals.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
A portion of every ticket sold will benefit Siempre Unidos LA, a grassroots nonprofit assisting immigrant families affected by Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and deportations through food, emergency assistance, legal referrals and community support.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
Medicare Advantage plans offer extra benefits such as vision and dental coverage and cap annual out-of-pocket costs but have a limited choice of doctors and extra requirements for specialist referrals.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026
Despite multiple referrals from commanding officers for psychiatric evaluation, he remained in combat for seven months before his “crying outbursts” and “uncommunicative withdrawal” resulted in an honorable discharge in December 1966.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
