WordGarden.ioref
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /rˈɛf/
US
- /ˈrɛf/
Meanings
Noun
a referee or other official in a sports game or match
a person who can recommend or vouch for someone, especially for a job
a source reference or bibliography entry, especially in academic or technical writing
More meaningsFewer meanings
a reference number or code used to identify a booking, order, payment, or record
Verb
to officiate a sports game or match as a referee
Beyond the definition
You'll often hear "ref" shouted at sporting events. There, it is short for "referee," the person who makes sure everyone follows the rules. But "ref" is not only about sports. It can also be short for "reference," such as a person who speaks for you when you apply for a job, or a note that points to a source.
A basketball ref calls fouls, a soccer ref blows the whistle, and a good job ref can help an employer trust you. In writing, "ref" can also mean a reference to a book, article, or other source. The situation usually makes the meaning clear.
"Ref" is a common short form with two main meanings. Most often, it means referee, the official in a sport who applies the rules and makes calls during the game. It can also mean reference, either a source of information or a person who gives an opinion about you, especially for a job.
When you hear someone yell, "the ref made a bad call!" at a game, they are talking about the referee. In sports such as basketball, soccer, football, or boxing, this person keeps the game fair, watches for broken rules, and makes quick decisions. Because the referee has authority, fans and players often react strongly to those decisions.
However, "ref" also stands for reference. In hiring, you might be asked to provide "refs" who can speak about your skills, experience, or character. These may be former managers, coworkers, teachers, or professors. A strong ref can help an employer feel more confident about hiring you.
The word also appears in writing and research, where a "ref" may mean a reference to another book, article, website, or document. So, depending on the context, "ref" may point to a sports official, a person recommending someone, or a source of information. It is a simple, useful short form that appears in both everyday speech and written English.
Examples
- 1
Sports official
The ref blew the whistle and stopped the game.
- 2
Player protest
The players surrounded the ref after the penalty decision.
- 3
Football warning
If you argue with the ref, you might get a yellow card.
- 4
Job reference
She wants to use her old manager as a ref for the job.
- Patternuse someone as a ref
list them as a person who can recommend you
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Customer support
Please include your order ref when you email customer support.
- Phraseorder ref
order reference number
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- refverbnoun
Forms
- refsverbnoun
- reffing-ing formverbnoun
- reffedpast tenseverbnoun