Referral: meaning, definitions and examples
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referral
[ rəˈfɜːrəl ]
medical, business
A referral is a recommendation from one person to another to consult with a specific healthcare provider or professional. It often involves a doctor referring a patient to a specialist for further evaluation or treatment. In a business context, it can refer to a recommendation that leads to a potential client or customer. Referrals can enhance trust between parties as they are typically based on positive prior experiences.
Synonyms
introduction, recommendation, reference
Examples of usage
- My doctor gave me a referral to see a specialist.
- She received a referral from a friend for the real estate agent.
- After reviewing my case, the attorney suggested a referral to a financial advisor.
Translations
Translations of the word "referral" in other languages:
🇵🇹 referência
🇮🇳 सिफारिश
🇩🇪 Empfehlung
🇮🇩 referensi
🇺🇦 рекомендація
🇵🇱 polecenie
🇯🇵 紹介
🇫🇷 référence
🇪🇸 referencia
🇹🇷 yönlendirme
🇰🇷 추천
🇸🇦 إحالة
🇨🇿 doporučení
🇸🇰 odporúčanie
🇨🇳 推荐
🇸🇮 priporočilo
🇮🇸 tilmæli
🇰🇿 сілтеме
🇬🇪 რეკომენდაცია
🇦🇿 tövsiyə
🇲🇽 referencia
Etymology
The term 'referral' originates from the Latin word 'referre', which means 'to bring back' or 'to carry back'. The use of the term can be traced back to the late Middle Ages, where it was used in legal contexts to refer cases or matters back to a higher authority. In the 20th century, the word became prevalent in medical terminology, as doctors began to formally refer patients to other specialists or services. The concept has since expanded into various fields including business and marketing, where referrals play a critical role in sustaining growth and building reputations.