refer to

phrasal verb

referred to; referring to; refers to

1

: to look at or in (something) for information

She often refers to her notes when giving a speech.

Please refer to our website for more information.

2

: to have a direct connection or relationship to (something)

The word "finch" refers to a kind of bird.

The numbers shown in the text refer to footnotes at the bottom of the page.

3

: to talk about or write about (someone or something) especially briefly : to mention (someone or something) in speech or in writing

No one referred to the incident.

Examples of refer to in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The general concept of literacy refers to acquiring the foundational skills needed to understand, use and communicate through a symbolic system with a strong dose of critical thinking. —Nino Letteriello, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

The title of the father-son drama refers to a car model, which is somewhat of a mirror of the state of its protagonist. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2025

Dunst told Town & Country, referring to a possible second film in the franchise and any flick that helps fill her bank account. —Jay Stahl, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025

She was then referred to Freedom House, a recovery center designed for current and expecting mothers. —Ruby Grisin, The Courier-Journal, 22 Aug. 2025

Rhymes for refer to

• amadou
• avenue
• ballyhoo
• baraboo
• barbecue
• barbeque
• bugaboo
• cabildo
• caribou
• cockatoo
• detinue
• devalue