referee
Americannoun
-
referees
plural
-
one to whom something is referred, especially for decision or settlement; arbitrator.
- Synonyms:
- arbiter
-
(in certain games and sports) a judge having functions fixed by the rules of the game or sport; umpire.
-
an authority who evaluates scientific, technical, or scholarly papers, grant proposals, or the like for the publication or funding institution to which they have been submitted.
-
Law. a person selected by a court to take testimony in a case and return it to the court with recommendations as to the decision.
verb (used with object)
-
referees,
present (3rd person singular)
-
refereed,
past participle, past
-
refereeing
present participle
verb (used without object)
-
referees,
present (3rd person singular)
-
refereed,
past participle, past
-
refereeing
present participle
noun
-
a person to whom reference is made, esp for an opinion, information, or a decision
-
the umpire or judge in any of various sports, esp football and boxing, responsible for ensuring fair play according to the rules
-
a person who is willing to testify to the character or capabilities of someone
-
law See Official Referee
verb
Usage
What does referee mean? The word referee most commonly refers to an official in a sporting event who enforces the rules of the game. In sports, referees 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 referee. In the context of sports, the word referee is commonly shortened with the informal term 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. In all of its senses, referee can be used as a verb meaning to act as a referee, as in I signed up to referee my daughter’s soccer games. Example: I’ve never understood why players argue with referees—have you ever seen one reverse their call?
Synonym Usage
See judge.
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
refereesimple
-
refereessimple
-
have refereedperfect
-
has refereedperfect
-
am refereeingprogressive
-
are refereeingprogressive
-
is refereeingprogressive
-
have been refereeingperfect progressive
-
has been refereeingperfect progressive
Past
-
refereedsimple
-
had refereedperfect
-
was refereeingprogressive
-
were refereeingprogressive
-
had been refereeingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of referee
Explanation
That guy on the field in black and white stripes? He's a referee, an official in a sport like football or basketball who enforces the rules. In sports, referees are there to make sure the rules are followed and everyone gets a fair shake. This word works as both a noun and a verb: referees referee games. Off the court, the world is full of everyday referees. A court appointed lawyer who investigates and reports on a case is a referee. And academics who evaluate each other's work are referees. In all cases, referees get to make official calls on what's OK and not OK.
Vocabulary lists containing referee
Set, Hut! Football Vocabulary
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!
Words Football Fans Can Master Easily
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!
Vocabulary of the Summer Olympics
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:
After Kevin Warsh took over the Federal Reserve this spring, he said he wanted investors to watch the economy, not the Fed: Play the ball, not the referee.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
On a play that was whistled dead because of a neutral zone infraction, Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson appeared to be shoved into referee Adrian Hill, who was knocked to the ground.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026
At the time, Mourinho pleaded with the referee for a red card to be shown to the Argentina international for dangerous foul play, because replays showed Romero made contact with his studs on Bellingham's knee.
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026
The referee stopped the match during his narrow win against Nathan Aspinall in the last eight on Saturday to warn the hostile crowd about its behaviour, before play resumed.
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026
We salute the referee, each other, the crowd.
From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
However, Juve, AC Milan, Fiorentina, Lazio and Reggina were all implicated in influencing referees.
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026
And yes, sometimes these games do go the other way, like a few weeks ago, when Western Michigan beat Michigan, only to have time traveling referees give the Wolverines a chance to take it back.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
It was a logical move from Webb, considering his time as the boss of referees in Major League Soccer prior to his move back to England.
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026
"We lost players... fans, administrators and referees," Jadallah told AFP.
From Barron's ● Sep. 6, 2026
I knew they would be our toughest opponents of the day, not only because they were strong opponents but because the referees seemed to love them.
From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad
Dean refereed the 2008 FA Cup final and 2011 League Cup final at Wembley.
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026
Barton officiated the France-Spain match, while American Ismail Elfath refereed the England-Argentina match.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
Collum also addressed two incidents in Celtic's 3-1 home win over Rangers on 10 May, refereed by Nick Walsh.
From BBC ● May 29, 2026
Crane has refereed 17 races in 12 countries.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 22, 2025
“When’s he ever refereed a Quidditch match? He’s not going to be fair if we might overtake Slytherin.”
From "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling
It's best to exclude penalties as refereeing decisions and defensive clumsiness give a false impression of how good teams actually are at attacking and defending, especially at this early stage.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026
Atletico manager Simeone rejected the suggestion the result would be overshadowed by the refereeing debate, saying his team had controlled the contest.
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026
On Sunday's refereeing error in the Manchester derby, Andrews said it was "pretty alarming" Haaland's goal was allowed to stand.
From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026
Arsenal will contact refereeing body Pro Ref over the incident in which Ezri Konsa conceded a penalty in Saturday's win over Sunderland.
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026
Mr. McNamara got back to refereeing, so he didn't see Gary Drake, Ross Wilcox, and Darren Croome run to the bridge, then, instead of running back, disappear over it.
From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell
Definitions 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.
