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
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Half a World Away
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocabulary for December 17–December 23, 2022
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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:
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
Her doctor had given her a referral for an infertility specialist.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026
It also said the proportion of Welsh patients progressing from referral for some types of surgery was "significantly lower" than across the border, while the rate of surgery referrals was "significantly higher".
From BBC ● Sep. 24, 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
I was sent home with a referral to see a therapist so I could learn how to manage my anxiety and identify my triggers or whatever.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
The council said the programme also aimed to help residents access wider support, including community organisations, NHS referrals and other health services.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
Clinical reviewers found that much of ChatGPT for Teens’ crisis response content was “clinically sound” but many conversations that should have forced the bot to refer teen users to professional help didn’t lead to referrals.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 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
During that period, commissioners took 17,742 regulatory actions for pesticide violations of all types, but only 4,885 resulted in fines or referrals to district attorneys for possible prosecution, according to the data.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026
With this class, though, she’s probably going to have a fatter stack of referrals.
From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers
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.
