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

And that remains true with McCartney’s new elegant, self-referential full-length album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 4 June 2026

My Girandole earring best defines my aesthetic right now, subtly reimagining a Baroque Venetian motif through distinctive palettes of gemstones, diamonds and pearls to create pieces that feel personal, painterly and deeply material-driven rather than merely referential. —Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 27 May 2026

Star Wars has circled into a self-referential loop so many times that the franchise feels like a photograph of a photograph, an echo bouncing endlessly down an empty hallway. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

Wildly referential — a take on a great myth. —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 1 May 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