Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense, plural references, present participle referencing, past tense, past participle referenced
1. variable noun
Referenceto someone or something is the act of talking about them or mentioning them. A reference is a particular example of this.
He made no reference to any agreement. [+ to]
...a reference to a fictitious voyage by the buccaneer John Coxton.
He summed up his philosophy, with reference to Calvin.
Synonyms: allusion, note, comment, mention More Synonyms of reference
2. uncountable noun
Reference is the act of consulting someone or something in order to get information or advice.
This might be done without reference to Parliament.
Please keep this sheet in a safe place for reference.
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Reference books are ones that you look at when you need specific information or facts about a subject.
There are several reference books which have been compiled to help you make yourchoice.
...a useful reference work for teachers.
4. countable noun
A reference is a word, phrase, or idea which comes from something such as a book, poem, or play and which you use when making a point about something.
...a reference from the Quran.
...historical references.
5. countable noun
A reference is something such as a number or a name that tells you where you can obtain the information you want.
...a map reference.
Make a note of the reference number shown on the form.
6. countable noun
A reference is a letter that is written by someone who knows you and which describes your character and abilities. When you apply for a job, an employer might ask for references.
The firm offered to give her a reference.
Synonyms: testimonial, recommendation, credentials, endorsement More Synonyms of reference
7. countable noun
A reference is a person who gives you a reference, for example when you are applying for a job.
[mainly US]regional note: in BRIT, usually use referee
8. verb
If you reference a particular book or writer, you make a precise reference to them in what you are saying or writing.
His final scene is frequently referenced as one of the most memorable and frighteningin cinema history. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: refer to, mention, cite, speak of More Synonyms of reference
9.
See for future reference
10.
See with/in reference to
11. See also cross-reference, frame of reference, point of reference, terms of reference
More Synonyms of reference
reference in British English
(ˈrɛfərəns, ˈrɛfrəns)
noun
1.
the act or an instance of referring
2.
something referred, esp proceedings submitted to a referee in law
3.
a direction of the attention to a passage elsewhere or to another book, document, etc
4.
a book or passage referred to
5.
a mention or allusion
this book contains several references to the Civil War
6. philosophy
a.
the relation between a word, phrase, or symbol and the object or idea to which it refers
b.
the object referred to by an expression
Compare sense (sense 12)
7.
a.
a source of information or facts
b.
(as modifier)
a reference book
a reference library
8.
a written testimonial regarding one's character or capabilities
9.
a person referred to for such a testimonial
10.
a. (foll by to)
relation or delimitation, esp to or by membership of a specific class or group; respect or regard
all people, without reference to sex or age
b.
(as modifier)
a reference group
11. point of reference
12. terms of reference
verb(transitive)
13.
to furnish or compile a list of references for (an academic thesis, publication, etc)
14.
to make a reference to; refer to
he referenced Chomsky, 1956
preposition
15. business
with reference to
reference your letter of the 9th inst
Abbreviation: re
Derived forms
referencer (ˈreferencer)
noun
referential (ˌrɛfəˈrɛnʃəl)
adjective
reference in American English
(ˈrɛfərəns; ˈrɛfrəns)
noun
1.
a referring or being referred; esp., submission of a problem, dispute, etc. to a person, committee, or authority for settlement
2.
relation; connection; regard
in reference to his letter
3.
a.
the directing of attention to a person or thing
b.
a mention or allusion
4.
a.
an indication, as in a book or article, of some other work or passage to be consulted
b.
the work or passage so indicated
c.
the mark or sign, as a number, letter, or symbol, directing the reader to a footnote, etc.
: in full reference mark
5.
a.
the giving of the name of another person who can offer information or recommendation
b.
the person so indicated
c.
a written statement of character, qualification, or ability, as of someone seeking a position; testimonial
6.
a.
use or consultation to get information, as an aid in research, etc.
often attributive
reference books
b.
a book, etc. used for reference
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈreferenced or ˈreferencing
7.
to provide with references
Idioms:
make reference to
Examples of 'reference' in a sentence
reference
He had a reference number for the bike.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It promised to remove any reference to the problem from his credit file.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The idea proposed would see the department working with credit reference agencies and other organisations that collect data around spending habits.
Computing (2010)
There is a particularly traumatic reference point for Bangladesh.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The laws of football make no reference to two-footed tackles or feet off the ground.
The Sun (2016)
The Southwark crown court judge read a character reference from her.
The Sun (2016)
Sorry, slightly obscure cultural reference there.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Only the nobility's works of reference retained a certain decorum.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Overall, he was a cool and composed point of reference for his team amid the general frenzied activity.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The new perfumes contain historical references yet don't feel old-fashioned.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
These are hugely useful frames of reference.
Geoffrey A. Moore LIVING ON THE FAULT LINE, REVISED EDITION (2002)
You will be given a reference number.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
What should you do if you are asked to provide reference information?
A Conceptual View of Human Resource Management: Strategic Objectives, Environments,Functions
Reference groups provide a standard for judging our attitudes or behaviors.
Appelbaum, Richard P. Sociology (1995)
They may also have a different selection of books in their reference section.
Ingham, Christine Life Without Work (1994)
Look also into the reference works that may be specifically addressed to your field of inquiry.
Marius, Richard A Short Guide to Writing About History (1995)
At the end of the report list any references used or further reading suggested.
Harris, Jean Everything You Need to Know for Success in Business (1990)
Our scant cultural references are scarcely informative either.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You will need specific references to literature to support your view.
Bachmann, Susan (editor) & Barth, Melinda Between Worlds: A Reader, Rhetoric and Handbook (1995)
Please retain this information for future reference.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It contains a reference to him playing baseball.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
After complaints from a teacher the posters were redesigned to remove the reference before being put up again.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
These central lines of your grid will be reference points against which you position the elements of your landscape.
Robertson, Bruce Learn to Draw Countryside (1996)
The defence of qualified privilege had to be considered with reference to the particular publication complained of asdefamatory.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Where an employer provides a reference there is a duty of care towards the intended recipient and the former employee.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
My old reference points are dissolving.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Yet google her, and you will find not another reference to her name.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
On its final page, one short sentence makes an oblique reference to the crisis ahead.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The film is steeped in subtle comic references to classic horror movies, but its humour is universal.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Would you rather attend a interview with a portfolio university projects or take range of real-life examples and references confirming your skills?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
reference
British English: reference /ˈrɛfərəns; ˈrɛfrəns/ NOUN
Reference to someone or something is the act of talking about them or mentioning them. A reference is a particular example of this.
He made no reference to any agreement.
American English: reference
Arabic: مَرْجِع
Brazilian Portuguese: referência
Chinese: 提到
Croatian: upućivanje na
Czech: zmínka
Danish: reference
Dutch: referentie
European Spanish: referencia
Finnish: viite
French: référence
German: Bezugnahme
Greek: παραπομπή
Italian: riferimento
Japanese: 参考
Korean: 참조
Norwegian: referanse
Polish: odniesienie
European Portuguese: referência
Romanian: referire
Russian: ссылка
Latin American Spanish: referencia
Swedish: hänvisning
Thai: การอ้างอิง
Turkish: gönderme kaynak
Ukrainian: згадування
Vietnamese: sự nhắc đến
British English: reference ADJECTIVE
Reference books are ones that you look at when you need specific information or facts about a subject.
There are several reference books which have been compiled to help you make your choice.
American English: reference
Brazilian Portuguese: de referência
Chinese: 供参考的
European Spanish: de consulta
French: de référence
German: Nachschlage-
Italian: di consultazione
Japanese: 参照用の
Korean: 참고용의
European Portuguese: de referência
Latin American Spanish: de consulta
All related terms of 'reference'
map reference
information that identifies the point on a map where a particular place is located
cross-reference
A cross-reference is a note in a book which tells you that there is relevant or more detailed information in another part of the book.
grid reference
a method of locating a point on a map or plan by a number referring to the lines of a grid drawn upon the map or plan and to subdivisions of the space between the lines
reference book
a book, such as an encyclopedia , dictionary , etc, from which information may be obtained
reference group
a group with which an individual identifies and whose values the individual accepts as guiding principles
reference mark
a symbol in text used to refer the reader to a footnote or other information outside of the main text
reference point
a point used to find or describe the location of something
reference strip
a strip of film used to help calculate and monitor the exposing and processing of photographs
trade reference
a reference in which one trader gives an opinion as to the creditworthiness of another trader in the same trade, esp to a supplier
banker's reference
a confidential statement about the financial status of a customer , provided by one bank to another, or to an authorized enquirer
reference library
A reference library is a library that contains books which you can look at in the library itself but which you cannot borrow .
reference number
a unique number on an order, application , etc, used to designate and quickly locate that order, application, etc
character reference
a testimonial from an employer or acquaintance testifying to a person's good character
frame of reference
A frame of reference is a particular set of beliefs or ideas on which you base your judgment of things.
ideas of reference
a schizophrenic symptom in which patients think that things completely disconnected from them are influencing them or conveying messages to them
make reference to
to refer to; mention
point of reference
A point of reference is something which you use to help you understand a situation or communicate with someone.
terms of reference
Terms of reference are the instructions given to someone when they are asked to consider or investigate a particular subject, telling them what they must deal with and what they can ignore .
for future reference
If you keep information for future reference , you keep it because it might be useful in the future.
credit-reference agency
an agency , other than a bank , that specializes in providing credit ratings of people or organizations
inertial reference frame
a frame of reference within which bodies are not accelerated unless acted upon by external forces
with/in reference to
You use with reference to or in reference to in order to indicate what something relates to.
inertial system
a frame of reference within which bodies are not accelerated unless acted upon by external forces