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

The celebrity glam teams always take a little more license at the VMAs to get eccentric, hyperbolically glamorous, referential, or all three. — Marci Robin, Allure, 27 Sep. 2026

As many as 11 sketches were removed, including a self-referential skit in which David Mitchell and Robert Webb joked about the appropriateness of Blackface while in Blackface. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026

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

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