refer

Formsrefers, referring, referred

1. 1
   speak ofverbintransitive

   To mention something or direct attention toward it.

   In her speech she referred to several recent studies.

   Speakers often refer to shared experiences to build rapport.

   UsageFollowed by to: refer to a study. To report a nickname, use refer to someone as something.

   Similarallude, mention, cite

   Note

   Because the to belongs to the verb, it survives in the passive: R. C. Riley's 1956 article on the Lymington Railway describes a ferry "disrespectfully referred to locally as the Crab." Legal drafting makes it exact, as in a statute that "specifically refers to this subsection."

2. 2
   mean (words)verbintransitive

   Of a word or phrase: to mean or stand for something or someone.

   In this manual, 'device' refers to any connected machine.

   Technical terms often refer to very precise ideas.

   Note

   The subject is a word, name or term, and the object is what it picks out: "Big Apple" refers to New York, and "memory leak" refers to a programming fault.

3. 3
   verbintransitive

   To make reference to something, to be about it, or to relate to it.

   Clause four refers to disputes between tenants and landlords.

   The footnotes refer to events described earlier in the book.

   UsageUsually in the simple present: the clause refers to disputes. Asking "What is it referring to?" is also natural.

   Similarrelate, pertain, apply

   Note

   The subject here is usually a thing, such as a recipe, a clause or a footnote. A speaker can be referring to something in the moment, and that is the mention meaning.

4. 4
   send elsewhereverbtransitive

   To send something or someone to another person or group for a decision or further action.

   The committee referred the proposal to a subcommittee for review.

   Family doctors refer patients to hospitals when more tests are needed.

   UsageRefer someone or something to a person or group: referred to a specialist. Refer back returns it to where it came from.

   Similarsend

   Note

   Here the matter itself is handed on rather than pointed at: a case, a patient or an objection passes to someone else to deal with.

5. 5
   consultverbintransitive

   To turn to a book, notes, or another source and look in it for information; used with to.

   Pilots refer to a checklist before every takeoff, however many flights they have made.

   Without referring to the manual once, he rebuilt the engine from memory.

   UsageWhat follows usually decides: refer to a manual, checklist or map means look in it; refer to a person or event means mention.

   Similarconsult, check

   Note

   A reader's use of the verb: the hand goes to the page, not the tongue. It shares its construction with the "mention" meaning, so "she referred to her notes" can mean she glanced at them or that she spoke of them.

6. 6
   verbtransitive

   To direct someone's attention toward a particular thing or place.

   The guide referred visitors to the map near the entrance.

   I'll refer you to the section that explains the process.

   UsagePerson first, then to: refer someone to a page. Double the final r before -ing and -ed: referring, referred.

   Similardirect, point

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