refer

/rɪˈfʌr/

/rəˈfʌ/

Other forms: referred; referring; refers

If you refer to something, you consult it. To check your spelling, you refer to a dictionary. If you want to know when your spring break starts, you can refer to your class schedule.

Refer is made up of two very useful Latin roots: re- "back" and ferre "carry," and when one thing refers to another, one meaning “carries back” to the other — there’s some kind of connection. "The term “Spaghetti Western” refers to a kind of Western often filmed in Italy by Italian filmmakers, in Italian." If you have a mysterious rash, your doctor might refer you — send you — to an allergist.

Definitions of refer

1. verb

   make reference to
   synonyms: advert, bring up, cite, mention, name

   types:

   commend, remember

   mention as by way of greeting or to indicate friendship

   speak of the devil

   mention someone's name who just then appears

   remember

   mention favorably, as in prayer

   cite, quote

   refer to for illustration or proof

   touch on

   refer to or discuss briefly

   appeal, invoke

   cite as an authority; resort to

   namedrop

   mention rich or famous people to try to impress others

   bring up, raise

   put forward for consideration or discussion

   drag up, dredge up

   mention something unpleasant from the past

   cross-refer

   refer from one entry to another, as in catalogues, books, and lists

   type of:

   have in mind, mean, think of

   intend to refer to
2. verb

   be relevant to
   “There were lots of questions referring to her talk”

   synonyms: bear on, come to, concern, have-to doe with, pertain, relate, touch, touch on

   advert, allude, touch

   make a more or less disguised reference to

   types:

   center, center on, concentrate on, focus on, revolve about, revolve around

   center upon

   apply, go for, hold

   be pertinent or relevant or applicable

   affect, involve, regard

   connect closely and often incriminatingly

   interest, matter to

   be of importance or consequence to

   implicate

   bring into intimate and incriminating connection

   fascinate, intrigue

   cause to be interested or curious
3. verb

   have as a meaning
   synonyms: denote

   denote

   be a sign or indication of

   types:

   convolute, pervert, sophisticate, twist, twist around

   practice sophistry; change the meaning of or be vague about in order to mislead or deceive

   euphemise, euphemize

   refer to something with a euphemism

   come back, hark back, recall, return, rewind

   go back to something earlier

   identify, name

   give the name or identifying characteristics of; refer to by name or some other identifying characteristic property

   apply

   refer (a word or name) to a person or thing

   slur

   speak disparagingly of; e.g., make a racial slur

   express, state

   indicate through a symbol, formula, etc.

   enumerate, itemise, itemize, recite

   specify individually

   list, number

   enumerate

   go back, recur

   return in thought or speech to something

   announce

   give the names of

   vote

   express a choice or opinion

   vote

   express one's choice or preference by vote

   type of:

   intend, mean, signify, stand for

   denote or connote
4. verb

   think of, regard, or classify under a subsuming principle or with a general group or in relation to another
   “This plant can be referred to a known species”

   type of:

   assort, class, classify, separate, sort, sort out

   arrange or order by classes or categories
5. verb

   use a name to designate
   “Christians refer to the mother of Jesus as the Virgin Mary”

   type of:

   call, name

   assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
6. verb

   send or direct for treatment, information, or a decision
   “refer a patient to a specialist”

   “refer a bill to a committee”

   types:

   subject, submit

   refer for judgment or consideration

   recommit

   send back to a committee

   give

   submit for consideration, judgment, or use

   return

   submit (a report, etc.) to someone in authority

   pass on, relegate, submit

   refer to another person for decision or judgment

   type of:

   direct, send

   cause to go somewhere
7. verb

   seek information from
   “refer to your notes”

   synonyms: consult, look up

   type of:

   research

   attempt to find out in a systematic and scientific manner