referring
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for referring, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The act of directing attention to, or mentioning, something.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Frequently asked questions
What does “referring” mean?
The word “referring” means the act of directing attention to, or mentioning, something. In plain terms, the ongoing action of referring to or mentioning something.
How do you use “referring” in a sentence?
Here is “referring” used in a sentence: “Referring to old grudges never helps resolve an argument.”
What part of speech is “referring”?
“Referring” is a noun.
Is “referring” a common word?
“Referring” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Which preposition follows "referring"?
"Referring" is almost always followed by "to," as in "referring to the earlier report" or "the article you were referring to." The pairing "refer to" is fixed, meaning to direct attention to or mention something. Leaving out "to" is a common error.
What is the difference between "referring to" and "mentioning"?
"Referring to" means directing attention to something, often something already known or previously introduced, as in "referring to the point you made." "Mentioning" means bringing something up, sometimes for the first time and often briefly. You refer to a topic already in discussion, whereas you mention something to introduce it.
How do you spell "referring" — one "r" or two?
"Referring" is spelled with a double "r" in the middle: r-e-f-e-r-r-i-n-g. The final "r" of "refer" doubles because the stress falls on the last syllable when the ending is added. The common misspelling "refering" with one "r" is incorrect.
What is the difference between "referring" and "alluding"?
"Referring" means directing attention to or mentioning something directly and openly. "Alluding" means hinting at something indirectly without naming it. If you refer to a person you name them, but if you allude to them you only suggest them.