reference

[ ref-er-uhns, ref-ruhns ]

/ ˈrɛf ər əns, ˈrɛf rəns /

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See synonyms for: reference / referenced / references / referencing on Thesaurus.com

noun

an act or instance of referring.

a mention; allusion.

something for which a name or designation stands; denotation.

a direction in a book or writing to some other book, passage, etc.

a book, passage, etc., to which one is directed.

reference mark (def. 2).

material contained in a footnote or bibliography, or referred to by a reference mark.

use or recourse for purposes of information: a library for public reference.

a book or other source of useful facts or information, such as an encyclopedia, dictionary, etc.

a person to whom one refers for testimony as to one's character, abilities, etc.

a statement, usually written, as to a person's character, abilities, etc.

relation, regard, or respect: all persons, without reference to age.

verb (used with object), ref·er·enced, ref·er·enc·ing.

to furnish (a book, dissertation, etc.) with references: Each new volume is thoroughly referenced.

to arrange (notes, data, etc.) for easy reference: Statistical data is referenced in the glossary.

to refer to: to reference a file.

OTHER WORDS FOR reference

4 note, citation.

11 endorsement.

12 consideration, concern.

See synonyms for reference on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of reference

First recorded in 1580–90; refer + -ence

OTHER WORDS FROM reference

mis·ref·er·ence, nounnon·ref·er·ence, nounpre·ref·er·ence, nounsub·ref·er·ence, noun

un·ref·er·enced, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH reference

1. allusion, reference 2. reference , referral

Words nearby reference

refectory, refectory table, refel, refer, referee, reference, reference book, reference electrode, reference frame, reference group, reference mark

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT REFERENCE

What does reference mean?

Reference means an act of referring, that is, an act of directing someone to something, Jaya noted the name of the author for future reference.

Reference also means a direct mention or to the actual books or materials that someone is being referred to, as in The greedy pig named Bob Bacon was a reference to the actual business tycoon of the same name.

Reference can also mean material that can be referred to for information, as in The encyclopedia is a good reference to use when doing your homework.

In a piece of writing, a reference is a direction or citation leading a reader to another book or passage for more information, as in The author listed several references at the bottom of the page.

Any of these senses can also be used as verbs, as in All of the graphical data was referenced at the end of the study.

Reference is also commonly used to mean people that give testimony about a person’s character, such as for a job application, as in The teacher agreed to be listed as a reference on Namita’s college application.

Example: Teachers often tell their students how many references their research papers need to have.

Where does reference come from?

The first records of the term reference come from around 1580. It combines the word refer, meaning to direct someone to, and the suffix –ence, which forms a noun and indicates an action.

Reference has multiple meanings that are all commonly used. In general, the word reference in some way indicates that your attention is being directed somewhere. References in writing often direct you to other pieces of writing, while a list of job references directs a hiring department to sources that will vouch for your work experience.

Of course, the website you are using right now is also an excellent reference you can direct someone to when they are confused about words and their meanings!

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to reference?

misreference (noun)
nonreference (noun)
prereference (noun)
subreference (noun)
referential (adjective)

What are some synonyms for reference?

What are some words that share a root or word element with reference?

refer

What are some words that often get used in discussing reference?

How is reference used in real life?

Reference has several different commonly used meanings.

Sometimes I talk to my kids like Samantha from Sex And The City, they’ve never seen so they don’t get the reference. But they agree, whoever that is, is a menace.

— Paul Danke Portland OR. 7/1 Siren theater (@pauldanke) September 29, 2020

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all notice: Keep your receipts for future reference. They may come in handy.

— L. Spenser Smith (@LSpenserSmith) October 20, 2017

Friends using each other as job references is my favorite form of finessing the system.

— Bella Goth (@HotCommieGal) February 23, 2020

Try using reference!

Is the following a correct use of reference?

It is wise to keep a copy of any contract you sign for your own reference.

How to use reference in a sentence

This includes navigating influencers trying to sell them products and teaching them to look for references when information is provided to them.
A feminine wash for teens? Angry parents and gynecologists are on a social media crusade.|Abigail Higgins|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
It also comes with a stand so you can use your mannequin as a reference for drawing mid-air poses.
Must-have art supplies to let your inner creative shine|Sandra Gutierrez G.|February 11, 2021|Popular-Science
You never know when you’ll need it for reference or to show to someone.
Replacing pieces of flatware or china can be a challenge. Here’s how to track them down.|Laura Daily|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
Illumina’s sequencers read through each sample’s code and compare each letter to a reference sequence, looking for significant changes.
Why Opening Restaurants Is Exactly What the Coronavirus Wants Us to Do|Caroline Chen|February 6, 2021|ProPublica

There are frequent, if general, references to forces bigger than one’s self.
Peloton makes toning your glutes feel spiritual. But should Jesus be part of the experience?|Michelle Boorstein|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
In 2011 LGBT media outlet Queerty took the app to task for allegedly deleting accounts that made reference to being trans.
Grindr’s Trans Dating Problem|David Levesley|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He then provides some insight into his psyche - complete with Animal House reference.
Huckabee 2016: Bend Over and Take It Like a Prisoner!|Olivia Nuzzi|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
There is reference after reference to the “black community,” “black worth ethic,” and adherence to the “black value system.”
Reverend Jeremiah Wright Was Worse Than Scalise|Ron Christie|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Indeed, designers frequently reference each other in their shows—and the press never fails to notice.
The Big Business of Fashion Counterfeits|Lizzie Crocker|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On his Instagram account (which has since been taken down), Brinsley made one reference to burning an American flag.
Alleged Cop Killer Ismaaiyl Brinsley Had a Death Wish|M.L. Nestel|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These Eskimos were very fond of kite-flying, for its own sake, without reference to utility!
The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne
Had he not meant the Fleet to shove in K. must have made some reference to the second Division, surely.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
For convenience of reference I now give the figure Alphabet tabulated.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
She made no reference, for instance, to the fact that they might be frequently alone together now.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
Take the memories of members of the learned professions—they are usually only reference memories.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)

British Dictionary definitions for reference

reference

/ (ˈrɛfərəns, ˈrɛfrəns) /

noun

the act or an instance of referring

something referred, esp proceedings submitted to a referee in law

a direction of the attention to a passage elsewhere or to another book, document, etc

a book or passage referred to

a mention or allusionthis book contains several references to the Civil War

philosophy

the relation between a word, phrase, or symbol and the object or idea to which it refers
the object referred to by an expressionCompare sense (def. 12)

a source of information or facts
(as modifier)a reference book; a reference library

a written testimonial regarding one's character or capabilities

a person referred to for such a testimonial

(foll by to) relation or delimitation, esp to or by membership of a specific class or group; respect or regardall people, without reference to sex or age
(as modifier)a reference group

point of reference a fact forming the basis of an evaluation or assessment; criterion

terms of reference the specific limits of responsibility that determine the activities of an investigating body, etc

verb (tr)

to furnish or compile a list of references for (an academic thesis, publication, etc)

to make a reference to; refer tohe referenced Chomsky, 1956

preposition

commerce with reference toreference your letter of the 9th inst Abbreviation: re

Derived forms of reference

referencer, nounreferential (ˌrɛfəˈrɛnʃəl), adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with reference

reference

see in regard (reference) to.

reference

OTHER WORDS FOR reference

Origin of reference

OTHER WORDS FROM reference

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH reference

Words nearby reference

MORE ABOUT REFERENCE

What does reference mean?

Where does reference come from?

Did you know … ?

How is reference used in real life?

Try using reference!

Words related to reference

How to use reference in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for reference

Derived forms of reference

Other Idioms and Phrases with reference