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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Half a World Away
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocabulary for December 17–December 23, 2022
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
She said she felt the decision by the National Referral Mechanism was "a validation and a vindication of what I said to the Met when I first reported back in 2024".
From Barron's • May 7, 2026
Referral traffic to brand and retail websites from generative-AI sources such as ChatGPT and Perplexity rose 1,200% just in October compared with the year-ago period.
From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025
Some of these features are already available on the NHS app and a website Manage Your Referral.
From BBC • Jan. 4, 2025
Dr. Owen Menach, who is on staff at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in the city of Eldoret, confirmed Cheptegei's death via multiple organ failure to the New York Times.
From Salon • Sep. 5, 2024
Other students had lived there; the hippie lived there himself; a receptionist at the Student Referral Office had told me about it.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
![]()
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.