ref
noun
ref
1 American
[ref]
/ rɛf /
noun
Sports Slang.
refs
plural
ref.
2
American
abbreviation
-
referee.
-
reference.
-
referred.
-
refining.
-
reformation.
-
reformed.
-
refund.
-
refunding.
ref.
1
British
abbreviation
-
referee
-
reference
ref
2
British
/ rɛf /
noun
Usage
What does ref mean? Ref is an informal and shortened way of referring to a referee, an official in a sporting event who enforces the rules of the game. In sports, refs do things like call fouls and stop play when there has been a violation of the rules. Basketball, football, and soccer are examples of sports that used this kind of ref. The word referee is also sometimes used to refer to a person who acts as a formal authority or arbitrator in some kind of decision, such as a legal case. Sometimes, the word refers to a person who’s responsible for reviewing scientific or academic papers or grant proposals. Referee can also be used in a figurative way to refer to someone who has to enforce the rules in some situation, as in I spent the afternoon playing referee to several toddlers. Ref can be used as a shortened form of referee in these contexts, but it’s much less common than its use in sports. Sometimes, the word is used as an informal way of addressing a referee, as in “Hey, Ref, good call!” said no one ever. Like referee, ref can be used as a verb meaning to act as a referee, as in I signed up to ref my daughter’s soccer games. Example: I’ve never understood why players argue with refs—have you ever seen one reverse their call?
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of ref
First recorded in 1895–1900; by shortening
Explanation
A ref is the person who arbitrates conflicts during a sports match or game, and makes sure everyone's playing by the rules. If your team gets a bad call, blame the ref. Ref is shorthand for referee, which until the mid-1800s meant "a person who examines patent applications." By 1856, a referee was a baseball official, and the nickname ref followed soon after. You can use this word as a noun, for the person wearing a striped shirt and running up and down the edge of the football field — or a verb, to mean "officiate at a sporting event."
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:
They fall to the ground after barely being touched, writhing in fake pain and yelling at the ref to call a foul.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 4, 2026
Caroline: City fan but well done ref, about time they started to stand up to VAR.
From BBC ● Jan. 24, 2026
Why has the ref decided to change his mind with that penalty?
From BBC ● Jan. 19, 2026
Too many players conning the ref trying to get advantage, in particular players going down holding face or head when never touched.
From BBC ● Nov. 11, 2025
The kid was crying when the ref slapped the mat and Luke came up proud, arms raised.
From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss
The standout entry in this event is the “Patek Philippe, ref. 3843-1g; a unique, highly important gold wristwatch with 13.43 carat diamond crystal,” according to the famed auction house’s official description.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 18, 2023
"Then the managers went up to the ref. We - as a team - walked off the pitch," he said.
From BBC ● Jan. 16, 2022
“Cole and our coaches on staff said he was throwing the ball to the ref. That was a big play.”
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 10, 2021
“I spoke to the ref. He even said, ‘Hey, it’s preseason, we got to throw the flag.’”
From Slate ● Aug. 4, 2018
Flagrant foul, ref. he yells to everyone in the gym.
From "The Crossover" by Kwame Alexander
Coach JJ Redick needs to bring this bias up with the media and put the spotlight on the refs.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 9, 2026
Barry Mano, who died March 31 at the age of 82, published the first issue of Referee magazine in 1976, to report on and advocate for refs, umpires and sports officials of all kinds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026
The refs reviewed the play and waved off the basket and the foul, saying they took place after time expired, triggering overtime.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 21, 2026
Rooney Reacts: Villa v Newcastle drama... are refs really hiding behind VAR?
From BBC ● Feb. 15, 2026
But he called a time-out and went to talk to the refs.
From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan
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.
