referee
rehf-uh-REE
Referee (noun) means the official who enforces the rules during a sports match. Example: “The referee awarded a penalty kick.”
noun
1
The official who enforces the rules during a sports match.
"The referee awarded a penalty kick."
"Players are not allowed to argue with the referee."
2
A person who provides a reference for someone, such as for a job application.
"Please list two referees who can vouch for your work experience."
verb
1
To act as the officiating judge of a game.
"He referees youth soccer games on Saturdays."
How to use referee
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe official who controls a game and enforces the rules, or someone who gives a reference for you.
UK vs US
In UK job applications, "referee" is the standard term for the person giving a reference; in the US, "reference" is more common for this sense.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
argue with the referee
act as referee
list a referee
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Word forms
- Plural
- referees
- Third person singular
- referees
- Past tense
- refereed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ awarded a penalty kick.
Etymology
From Old French referer ("to relate, refer"), from Latin referre — literally, the person to whom a decision is "referred."
Related words
Rhymes for referee
See all rhymes for referee →Frequently asked questions
What does “referee” mean?
The word “referee” means the official who enforces the rules during a sports match. In plain terms, the official who controls a game and enforces the rules, or someone who gives a reference for you.
How do you pronounce “referee”?
“Referee” is pronounced rehf-uh-REE (/ˌɹɛf.əˈɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “referee” in a sentence?
Here is “referee” used in a sentence: “The referee awarded a penalty kick.”
What part of speech is “referee”?
Depending on how it is used, “referee” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “referee” come from?
The word “referee” comes from Latin. From Old French referer ("to relate, refer"), from Latin referre — literally, the person to whom a decision is "referred.".
Is “referee” a common word?
“Referee” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “referee” have?
“Referee” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the official who enforces the rules during a sports match.
What is the difference between a referee and an umpire?
Referee and umpire both describe officials who enforce the rules of a sports match, but the terms are tied to different sports by convention. Referee is typically used in sports like football, boxing, and rugby, while umpire is used in sports like cricket, baseball, and tennis.
What is the difference between a referee and a job referee?
A sports referee officiates a match and enforces its rules, while a job referee is a person who provides a reference for someone, such as a former employer vouching for a job applicant. Both senses share the idea of someone whose judgment or word is trusted, but they apply in completely different situations.
Can referee be used as a verb?
Yes, referee can be used as a verb meaning to act as the officiating judge of a game, as in 'she referees local football matches on weekends.' This verb use is distinct from the noun senses referring to either a sports official or a personal reference.
