verb
refer
rih-FUR
verb
1
To direct someone's attention to something, or send them elsewhere for information or help.
"The doctor referred her to a specialist."
"Please refer to page 12 for more details."
2
To mention or be about something; to relate to it.
"When she said "the incident," she was referring to last Tuesday's meeting."
How to Use Refer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo point someone or something toward another source, or to talk about/mean something.
Common mistake
Followed by "to," not "at" or nothing: "refer to the manual," not "refer the manual."
Common pairings
refer to a document
refer a patient
refer someone for help
Word Forms
referred past tense, refers plural, refers singular
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Please _____ to page 12 for more details.
Etymology
From Old French referer, from Latin referre ("to carry back, report"). A doublet of relate.