Added 3 October 2026
refer
/ɹɪˈfɜː/ verb
Latin root: referre Wiktionary
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about refer at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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To direct the attention of (someone toward something).
The shop assistant referred me to the help desk on ground floor.
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To submit to (another person or group) for consideration; to send or direct elsewhere.
He referred the matter to the principal.
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To place in or under by a mental or rational process; to assign to, as a class, a cause, source, a motive, reason, or ground of explanation.
He referred the phenomena to electrical disturbances.
noun
Origin
From Middle English referren, from Old French referer, from Latin referre. The noun (used in journalism) is from the verb. Doublet of relate. See also infer, collate and confer, delate and defer, as well as prelate and prefer among others.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)