referential

American  

[ref-uh-ren-shuhl] / ˌrɛf əˈrɛn ʃəl /

adjective

1. having reference.

   referential to something.

2. containing a reference.

3. used for reference.

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Other Word Forms

• referentially adverb

Etymology

Origin of referential

First recorded in 1650–60; referent + -ial

Example Sentences

I didn’t want to make an erudite cinematic movie or a referential movie.

From Los Angeles Times

The film is so visually dense, so rapidly wordy, so referential to its own form, that details fly by in a blur.

From Los Angeles Times

I now live on the side of L.A. where the styling of luxury items is either ironic or referential.

From Los Angeles Times

But it’s creating an interesting position for designers to be forced to come up with new things that no one’s seen before, that aren’t referential.

From Los Angeles Times

Intersected at its peak by a thin crescent — most likely a representation of the Golden Order, the dark fantasy world’s ruling theocracy — it feels bluntly referential to saints and prophets and resurrections.

From New York Times