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 addition, concerns were raised regarding aspects of referral and assessment processes."
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
A spokesman for Paul said the referral was with the vice president’s office but declined to comment further.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
While published data on how many people are using AI to access abortion-related information falls short, many organizations are seeing referral traffic from AI.
From Salon ● Aug. 19, 2026
However, neither bill has advanced beyond committee referral, meaning they are unlikely to pass under the current Congress.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
At the grimy state offices on 54th Street I was given a referral to Friedsam Coats.
From "Bad Boy" by Walter Dean Myers
In theory, the internal medicine or family medicine doctor oversees your preventive care, ongoing symptoms, chronic conditions, and referrals to specialists.
From Slate ● Aug. 22, 2026
“We see in our data the referrals from AI assistants,” Nall said.
From Salon ● Aug. 19, 2026
Ms. Nessel’s office says 22 referrals remain under review.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
Home Office figures found 36 percent of referrals to Prevent concerned 11 to 15-year-olds.
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026
Her seven rooms were always crammed to the gills, with as many as twenty-one men boarding at a time and five to six new referrals every day.
From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield
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.
