ref
noun
ref
1 American
[ref]
/ rɛf /
noun
Sports Slang.
-
refs
plural
ref.
2
American
abbreviation
-
referee.
-
reference.
-
referred.
-
refining.
-
reformation.
-
reformed.
-
refund.
-
refunding.
ref.
1
British
abbreviation
-
referee
-
reference
ref
2
British
/ rɛf /
noun
Usage
What does ref mean? Ref is an informal and shortened way of referring to a referee, an official in a sporting event who enforces the rules of the game. In sports, refs do things like call fouls and stop play when there has been a violation of the rules. Basketball, football, and soccer are examples of sports that used this kind of ref. The word referee is also sometimes used to refer to a person who acts as a formal authority or arbitrator in some kind of decision, such as a legal case. Sometimes, the word refers to a person who’s responsible for reviewing scientific or academic papers or grant proposals. Referee can also be used in a figurative way to refer to someone who has to enforce the rules in some situation, as in I spent the afternoon playing referee to several toddlers. Ref can be used as a shortened form of referee in these contexts, but it’s much less common than its use in sports. Sometimes, the word is used as an informal way of addressing a referee, as in “Hey, Ref, good call!” said no one ever. Like referee, ref can be used as a verb meaning to act as a referee, as in I signed up to ref my daughter’s soccer games. Example: I’ve never understood why players argue with refs—have you ever seen one reverse their call?
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of ref
First recorded in 1895–1900; by shortening
Explanation
A ref is the person who arbitrates conflicts during a sports match or game, and makes sure everyone's playing by the rules. If your team gets a bad call, blame the ref. Ref is shorthand for referee, which until the mid-1800s meant "a person who examines patent applications." By 1856, a referee was a baseball official, and the nickname ref followed soon after. You can use this word as a noun, for the person wearing a striped shirt and running up and down the edge of the football field — or a verb, to mean "officiate at a sporting event."
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:
That ref reprieve versus WMU now seems like a hex.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
They fall to the ground after barely being touched, writhing in fake pain and yelling at the ref to call a foul.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 4, 2026
"We could have been helped at times by the ref with 50-50 challenges," the Aston Villa man said.
From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026
Obviously, I should have waited for the ref to blow his whistle.
From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2026
The ref handed me the ball and then blew his whistle.
From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan
"Then the managers went up to the ref. We - as a team - walked off the pitch," he said.
From BBC ● Jan. 16, 2022
“Cole and our coaches on staff said he was throwing the ball to the ref. That was a big play.”
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 10, 2021
“I spoke to the ref. He even said, ‘Hey, it’s preseason, we got to throw the flag.’”
From Slate ● Aug. 4, 2018
Ejected and dejected, Kelce later said he “felt like an idiot. It was a terrible decision. … I can’t throw my flag at the ref. He can throw his all day long.”
From Washington Times ● Nov. 10, 2016
Flagrant foul, ref. he yells to everyone in the gym.
From "The Crossover" by Kwame Alexander
Don’t show that energy to the refs, who deserve your respect.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2026
Fall activities are just around the corner, so Jason Gay is celebrating the youth sports parents—those who don’t resort to screaming at teen refs or fistfighting in the parking lot.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026
Standing in the corner, arguing with the refs?
From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026
"The refs are the worst... These guys are lawyers. They want to be on TV too," said Puka Nacua, star receiver of the Los Angeles Rams, in December.
From Barron's ● Feb. 3, 2026
Yelling at the refs every time they made a call on him.
From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
