Referring: meaning, definitions and examples

communication context

Referring typically means to direct someone's attention to something or someone. It can involve mentioning or alluding to a certain subject or piece of information. In a conversation, one might refer to a previous statement or a background topic. This can help clarify points or provide additional context. Referring also plays a significant role in academic writing and formal presentations, where citing sources or relevant literature is essential.

allude, cite, indicate, mention, point to.

Examples of usage

• I am referring to the report submitted last week.

• When I said that, I was referring to our previous discussion.

• Are you referring to the guidelines mentioned earlier?

• The speaker was referring to historical events.

• In her thesis, she is referring to several key studies.