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Referring: meaning, definitions and examples

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referring

 

[ rɪˈfɜːrɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

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.

Synonyms

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.

Translations

Translations of the word "referring" in other languages:

🇵🇹 referindo-se

🇮🇳 संकेत करना

🇩🇪 verweisend

🇮🇩 merujuk

🇺🇦 посилаючись

🇵🇱 odnosząc się

🇯🇵 言及する

🇫🇷 référant

🇪🇸 refiriendo

🇹🇷 atıfta bulunma

🇰🇷 언급하는

🇸🇦 الإشارة إلى

🇨🇿 odkazující

🇸🇰 odkazujúci

🇨🇳 提到

🇸🇮 sklicujoč

🇮🇸 vísa til

🇰🇿 сілтеме жасау

🇬🇪 გადმოცემა

🇦🇿 istinad etmək

🇲🇽 refiriendo

Word origin

The word 'refer' originates from the Latin word 'referre', which means 'to carry back'. This term is composed of 're-', meaning 'back', and 'ferre', meaning 'to carry'. The adaptation of the term into Middle English retained the essence of its Latin roots and has been used in various forms since the 14th century. Over the centuries, 'referring' has evolved to encompass both a literal and figurative sense of directing attention to an object or idea. The modern usage reinforces its significance in communication, where referencing information has become crucial in establishing credibility and clarity in discussions.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,754, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.