referential

adjective

ref·​er·​en·​tial ˌre-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl 

: of, containing, or constituting a reference

especially : pointing to or involving a referent

referential language

referential meaning

referentiality

ˌre-fə-ˌren(t)-shē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

referentially

ˌre-fə-ˈren(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of referential in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At some point, Kirk became an aesthetic, sound and meme, moving, Penney says, to the stage of self-referential humor. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

With Logout’s punk credentials and Margo XS’s keen ear for self-referential, post-hyperpop production, HARDBODY’s hero’s journey is sarcastically relatable, like getting roasted in the group chat for last night’s shenanigans. — Cameron Cook, Pitchfork, 29 July 2026

Scher sees the emergent surveillance aesthetic as something layered and self-referential. — T.m. Brown, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

The one HalluSquatting exploits is described as being self-referential. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for referential

• consequential
• deferential
• existential
• exponential
• influential
• nonessential
• penitential
• precedential
• preferential
• presidential
• providential
• residential