ref

[ ref ]

/ rɛf /

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noun, verb (used with or without object), reffed, ref·fing.Sports Slang.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of ref

First recorded in 1895–1900; by shortening

Other definitions for ref (2 of 2)

ref.

abbreviation

referee.

reference.

referred.

refining.

reformation.

reformed.

refund.

refunding.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ref in a sentence

Often, refs now call fouls that stop an offensive player who already has gotten past a defender.
Nine problems with college basketball on TV — and how to fix them|John Feinstein|February 3, 2021|Washington Post
Boxer Ingermar Johansson, of Sweden, was disqualified from the heavyweight gold medal fight at the 1952 Helsinki Games for, in the eyes of the ref, failing to put up a fight against American Ed Sanders.
Why Olympic Swimmer Klete Keller, Arrested for Allegedly Invading the Capitol, Probably Won't Lose His Olympic Medals|Sean Gregory|January 14, 2021|Time
Now his eyes rested briefly on the spot in the bleachers behind the visitor’s bench where Timmins, in his role as state coordinator for high school refs, always sat during games.
A rural S.D. community ignored the virus for months. Then people started dying.|Annie Gowen|December 9, 2020|Washington Post
As far as the referees of the infamous Game 6, Dick Bavetta is now 72 years old and is still reffing NBA games.
Did NBA Referees Snatch Destiny From The Sacramento Kings?|Matt Gallagher|June 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for ref (1 of 2)

ref

/ (rɛf) /

noun

informal short for referee

British Dictionary definitions for ref (2 of 2)

ref.

abbreviation for

referee

reference

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012