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

This is referred to in the AI field as enabling new behaviors for AI that are particularly fruitful in high-stakes situations, such as when someone is faced with a mental health concern or other paramount personal decision. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

Employers still are required to withhold taxes from each paycheck for Social Security and Medicare, which are referred to as FICA or payroll taxes. —Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 7 Aug. 2025

It’s used—often jokingly—to refer to someone who’s old, old-fashioned, or out of touch with current trends. —Annabelle Canela, Parents, 7 Aug. 2025

The school’s board of trustees referred to those restrictions in its statement Wednesday. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2025

Rhymes for refer to

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