refer
gb/ɹɪfˈɚ/ us/ɹɪfˈɚ/
B1
English
~ 800
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Mention or point to something
To talk about or point to someone or something.
Usage pattern:
to refer to [something/someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'refer' with 'mention' but 'refer' often suggests a more formal or intentional pointing toward information or a source.
Synonyms
mention (Usually simpler and more direct; may lack the formality of 'refer'.)
Antonyms
ignore (To deliberately not mention or pay attention to something.)
Collocations
refer to the report
|refer to the matter
|refer to the case
|refer to the notes
|refer to the document
Themes
communication
|language
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- In her speech, she referred to the recent changes in policy.
- The article refers to a study published last year.
- Please refer to the instructions before using the machine.
- He often refers to his childhood when telling stories.
- The guide refers readers to additional resources at the end.
Learner examples
- She referred to her notes during the talk.
- The teacher referred to page 10 in the book.
- He referred to his friend in the story.
- Please refer to this list for help.
- I referred to a map for directions.
Verb
B1
action
2
Send someone elsewhere for help/info
To tell someone to go to another person or place for help or advice.
Usage pattern:
to refer [someone] to [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with 'recommend'; 'refer' involves sending or directing a person, often formally.
Synonyms
direct (More general; can mean physically guiding someone as well as suggesting they seek help.)
Antonyms
withhold (To keep someone from going to another source of help or information.)
Collocations
refer a patient
|refer a client
|refer a case
|refer a student
Themes
healthcare
|business
|communication
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The doctor referred her to a specialist.
- Our teacher referred us to the school counselor for advice.
- The manager referred the complaint to the human resources department.
- He was referred to a lawyer for legal assistance.
- The website refers visitors to partner sites for more details.
Learner examples
- The doctor referred me to another doctor.
- She referred him to the library for more books.
- He referred me to his boss for answers.
- My teacher referred me to the principal.
- They referred us to a travel agent.
Verb
technical
B2
action
3
Describe using a specific term
To call someone or something by a name or term.
Usage pattern:
to refer to [someone/something] as [term]
Common mistake:
Learners may omit 'as' in this pattern, which is required when giving a label or title.
Synonyms
call ('Call' is simpler and more common in everyday conversation; 'refer' sounds more formal.)
Antonyms
misname (To give an incorrect name or term.)
Collocations
referred to as
|commonly referred to as
|often referred to as
Themes
language
|education
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This plant is often referred to as a weed.
- He referred to her as his mentor.
- The disease is referred to by several different names.
- That period is sometimes referred to as the Golden Age.
- She referred to it as a turning point in her life.
Learner examples
- This game is referred to as chess.
- He is often referred to as a hero.
- That city is referred to as 'The Big Apple'.
- She is referred to as the best singer in school.
- It is sometimes referred to as magic.
Grammar
Dictionary form
refer
IPA
GB/ɹɪfˈɚ/
US/ɹɪfˈɚ/
Syllables & stress
refer (1 syllable)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: refer
- 3rd Person Singular: refers
- Present Participle: refering, referring
- Past: refered, referred
Word family
Expressions
be referred to as
1/bˈi ɹɪfˈɚd tə ˈæz/
fixed phrase
Be called by a certain name/term
People use this name or term for someone or something.
Examples
- Paris is often referred to as 'The City of Light'.
- This method is sometimes referred to as 'trial and error'.
refer someone to something
1/ɹɪfˈɚ sˈʌmwˌʌn tə sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Send person toward info/help source
To tell a person where they can get information or help.
Examples
- I will refer you to our website for more details.
- The receptionist referred me to another department.
refer back to
1/ɹɪfˈɚ bˈæk tə/
phrasal verb
Return attention to earlier point
To talk about something again that you said before.
Examples
- Let me refer back to my earlier point about safety.
- I’d like to refer back to the first question you asked.
- She referred back to the previous meeting's notes.
- She referred back to her earlier statement for clarification.