noun
Common
ref
rehf
Ref (noun) means informal short form of referee, the official who enforces the rules in a sport. Example: “Our ref stopped the game when a player slipped and hurt his ankle.”
noun
1
Informal short form of referee, the official who enforces the rules in a sport.
"Our ref stopped the game when a player slipped and hurt his ankle."
"The ref blew the whistle for a foul."
"Fans booed the ref's decision."
verb
1
To act as a referee.
"My uncle refs local football matches on weekends."
How to use ref
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe casual, everyday word for "referee," used as both a noun and a verb.
When to use it
Informal — use "referee" in formal or written contexts.
Common pairings
the ref blew the whistle
ref a match
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like ref.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Third person singular
- refs
- Past tense
- reffed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Our _____ stopped the game when a player slipped and hurt his ankle.
Etymology
A shortened, clipped form of referee.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “ref” mean?
The word “ref” means informal short form of referee, the official who enforces the rules in a sport. In plain terms, the casual, everyday word for "referee," used as both a noun and a verb.
How do you pronounce “ref”?
“Ref” is pronounced rehf (/ɹɛf/ in IPA).
How do you use “ref” in a sentence?
Here is “ref” used in a sentence: “The ref blew the whistle for a foul.”
What part of speech is “ref”?
Depending on how it is used, “ref” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “ref” a common word?
“Ref” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ref” have?
“Ref” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal short form of referee, the official who enforces the rules in a sport.
What is the difference between "ref" and "referee"?
"Ref" is simply the informal short form of "referee," the official who enforces the rules in a sport. They mean the same thing, but "ref" is casual and spoken, while "referee" is the full, more formal term.
What is the difference between a "ref" and an "umpire"?
Both are officials who enforce the rules, but which term is used depends on the sport: football, basketball, and boxing have a referee (ref), while baseball, cricket, and tennis have an umpire. The roles are similar; the name simply differs by game.
Is "ref" appropriate in formal writing?
"Ref" is informal and best suited to speech, headlines, and casual writing, such as "the ref blew the whistle." In formal or official contexts, the full word "referee" is preferred.
Can "ref" stand for anything besides referee?
In everyday sports use, "ref" almost always means referee. It can also serve as an informal abbreviation of "reference" in office or academic settings, such as a "ref number," but that is a separate, unrelated shortening.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include ref:
