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.
Kids Stuff also works with referral organisations helping families in crisis, including women escaping domestic abuse and refugees.
From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026
What’s more, many Advantage plans are structured as health maintenance organizations with limited choices of doctors, referral requirements for specialists, and prior authorization requirements for certain procedures.
From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026
The Justice Department has also received Kalshi’s referral, another of the people said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026
Joanna has recently been reinterviewed and the NRM modern slavery referral made.
From BBC • May 28, 2026
Nor is the frequent referral to Indian examples in the writings of Montaigne, Locke, Voltaire, Jefferson, Franklin, and Thomas Paine.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
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.
