refer
verb (used with object)
to direct for information or anything required.
were referring
-
past progressiveof refer.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
It was unclear whether they were referring to the same ship.
From Barron's ● Aug. 8, 2026
By 'Tom Ford and Smith', the club were referring to a gaffe made by Atleti president Enrique Cerezo earlier in the year when he named both as players for his side.
From BBC ● May 29, 2026
They did not specify which orders they were referring to.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 20, 2025
Few Chicagoans would even know what area you were referring to if you mentioned a place called “Towertown.”
From Salon ● Mar. 31, 2025
“I daresay you were referring to the Messenger list.”
From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart
