How Do You Spell REFER?

Pronunciation: [ɹɪfˈɜː] (IPA)

The word "refer" is spelled with the letters r-e-f-e-r. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is represented as /rɪˈfɜːr/. The first sound, /r/, is a consonant sound made by vibrating your tongue against your alveolar ridge. The next sound, /ɪ/, is a short vowel sound made by keeping your tongue low in your mouth. The following sound, /ˈfɜːr/, is a combination of the consonant sound /f/ and the long vowel sound /ɜː/ made by rounding your lips and keeping your tongue in the lower part of your mouth.

REFER Meaning and Definition

  1. Refer (verb):

    1. To mention or allude to someone or something as a source of information, guidance, or support. This act involves directing attention or making a connection to a person, thing, or concept. It may also indicate citing or quoting something as a reference or authority. For instance, in an academic essay, the author may refer to various scholarly sources to support their argument.

    2. To direct or redirect someone to another person, source, or place for consultation, assistance, or further action. This action involves guiding individuals to seek information from a specific source or person that may better address their needs or queries. For example, a doctor may refer a patient to a specialist for a more detailed diagnosis or treatment plan.

    3. To indicate or signify a particular thing, event, or concept. This meaning involves suggesting or implying a related idea or matter. For instance, in a conversation about movies, someone could refer to a popular film or a specific scene to illustrate a point or a shared experience.

    4. To describe or classify someone or something as belonging to a specific category or group. This use of the term involves categorizing or labeling individuals, objects, or ideas based on their characteristics or affiliations. For example, one might refer to someone as a musician or an artist to describe their occupation or talent.

    5. To mention someone by name or title to indicate a connection or relationship. This act involves identifying or acknowledging an individual in a particular role or position. For instance, during a formal address, one might refer to a dignitary as "His Excellency" to show respect and acknowledge their status.

  2. To direct or send to for information or judgment; to assign, as to a class or order; to point or have reference; to impute; to have recourse; to allude.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for REFER *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for REFER

Etymology of REFER

The word "refer" originated from the Latin word "referre", which is a combination of the prefix "re-" meaning "back" or "again", and the verb "ferre" meaning "to carry" or "to bring". Therefore, "referre" in Latin means "to bring back" or "to carry back". Over time, this Latin term evolved into "refer" in English, maintaining a similar meaning: to direct someone's attention or bring something back to a particular source, person, or entity.

Idioms with the word REFER

  • refer sb to sb/sth The idiom "refer sb to sb/sth" means to direct or suggest that someone seek advice, information, or assistance from a particular person or thing. It implies recommending or pointing someone towards a specific source or individual who can provide the needed help or answer their question.
  • refer sm to sm or sth The idiom "refer someone to someone or something" means to suggest or direct someone to go to another person or entity for assistance, advice, or information on a particular matter or topic. It implies that the person being referred will receive the help they need by reaching out to the recommended individual or source.
  • refer sth back to sm or sth The idiom "refer something back to someone or something" means to direct or send a matter or issue back to the person or entity from which it originated, usually for further consideration, clarification, or action. It implies returning an item or subject to its original source in order to gather more information or seek additional input before making a decision or taking any further steps.
  • refer to sm or sth The idiom "refer to someone or something" means to mention, cite, or direct attention to a specific person or thing in a conversation, text, or discussion. It indicates the act of alluding or making a reference to someone or something.
  • refer to sth The idiom "refer to sth" means to mention or speak about something in order to provide clarification, further information, or direct attention to it.
  • refer sb to sth The idiom "refer sb to sth" means to direct or recommend someone to a specific thing, person, or source for further assistance, information, or guidance.
  • refer sth to sb/sth The idiom "refer something to someone/something" refers to the act of directing, passing, or submitting something to a particular person or entity for their consideration or decision. It implies seeking guidance, opinion, or judgment from the mentioned individual or source regarding a specific matter.
  • refer back to The idiom "refer back to" means to go back or consult again a previous source, reference, or information in order to gain further clarification, explanation, or understanding. It suggests revisiting a particular point or idea that has been mentioned earlier for the purpose of reaffirming or reinforcing that information.
  • refer to sb/sth as sb/sth The idiom "refer to sb/sth as sb/sth" means to use specific words or terms to identify or describe someone or something. It implies using a particular name, title, label, or characterization to address or talk about a person or thing. This phrase is commonly used in communication to establish how individuals or things are identified or perceived.
  • refer sm back to sm or sth The idiom "refer sm back to sm or sth" means to direct or send someone or something back to someone or something else for further handling, assistance, or consideration. It implies transferring responsibility or seeking additional expertise.
  • refer to sb/sth The idiom "refer to sb/sth" means to mention or direct attention to someone or something. It often involves citing or using someone or something as a point of reference or source of information.

Similar spelling words for REFER

Conjugate verb Refer

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have referred
you would have referred
he/she/it would have referred
we would have referred
they would have referred
I would have refer
you would have refer
he/she/it would have refer
we would have refer
they would have refer

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been referring
you would have been referring
he/she/it would have been referring
we would have been referring
they would have been referring

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would refer
you would refer
he/she/it would refer
we would refer
they would refer

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be referring
you would be referring
he/she/it would be referring
we would be referring
they would be referring

FUTURE

I will refer
you will refer
he/she/it will refer
we will refer
they will refer

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be referring
you will be referring
he/she/it will be referring
we will be referring
they will be referring

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have referred
you will have referred
he/she/it will have referred
we will have referred
they will have referred

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been referring
you will have been referring
he/she/it will have been referring
we will have been referring
they will have been referring

IMPERATIVE

you refer
we let´s refer

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to refer

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was referring
you were referring
he/she/it was referring
we were referring
they were referring

PAST PARTICIPLE

referred

PAST PERFECT

I had referred
you had referred
he/she/it had referred
we had referred
they had referred

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been referring
you had been referring
he/she/it had been referring
we had been referring
they had been referring

PRESENT

I refer
you refer
he/she/it refers
we refer
they refer

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am referring
you are referring
he/she/it is referring
we are referring
they are referring

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

referring

PRESENT PERFECT

I have referred
you have referred
he/she/it has referred
we have referred
they have referred

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been referring
you have been referring
he/she/it has been referring
we have been referring
they have been referring

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it refer

SIMPLE PAST

I referred
you referred
he/she/it referred
we referred
they referred

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