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:
In 2026, 11% of employers offered employees access to eldercare services and information and eldercare referral services, up from 9% that offered such support in 2019, according to the Society for Human Resource Management.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 7, 2026
Wiltshire Police has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, due to previous involvement with the suspect.
From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026
Authorities did not indicate the referral was related to impairment or a medical emergency.
From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026
He then got a referral to make uniforms for multiple teams in the area before starting an apparel company.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026
I tell him that if he feels depressed, he should go to his general physician first and get a referral to a psychopharmacologist and go through the process like I did.
From "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini
Ruemmler “shared a client with him, received referrals from him, and was friendly in that professional context,” her spokeswoman said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
Last term, when there were both more cases and more referrals to the full court, the appeals to the shadow docket finally overtook those to the merits docket.
From Salon ● Jul. 3, 2026
But a "merry-go-round" of referrals, assessments and "hand-offs" - and his autism being used as an "excuse" for past conduct - meant no agency understood the danger he posed.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
Homeless veterans facing more-acute circumstances, such as a recent job loss, a relationship disruption or a health crisis, are eligible for homelessness prevention and rehousing subsidies, along with referrals to VA services.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026
Clients seemed so surprised to work with a painter or contractor they could trust and recommend that through referrals and in rapid succession Zeitoun would get a half-dozen jobs in any given neighborhood.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
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.
