reference
[noun]
Synonyms:
- citation, allusion, mention, note, quotation
- testimonial, character, credentials, endorsement, recommendation
- relevance, applicability, bearing, connection, relation

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. ref‧er‧ence¹ S2 W1 /ˈrefərəns/ noun
[Word Family: verb: refer, referee, reference; noun: referee, reference, referral; adjective: referable]

1. [uncountable and countable] part of something you say or write in which you mention a person or thing
reference to
There is no direct reference to her own childhood in the novel.
The article made no reference to previous research on the subject.
The governor made only a passing reference to the problem of unemployment (=he mentioned it quickly).

2. [uncountable] the act of looking at something for information
for easy/quick reference
A vocabulary index is included for easy reference.
Keep their price list on file for future reference (=so that it can be looked at in the future).
The book will become a standard work of reference (=a book that people look at for information).

3. reference point (also point/frame of reference)
a) an idea, fact, event etc that you already know, which helps you understand or make a judgment about another situation:
Lee’s case will be the reference point for lawyers in tomorrow’s trial.
She used her work experience as a frame of reference for her teaching.
b) something that you can see that helps you to know where you are when you are travelling in an area

4. in/with reference to something formal used to say what you are writing or talking about, especially in business letters:
I am writing to you in reference to the job opening in your department.

5. [countable]
a) (also letter of reference) a letter containing information about you that is written by someone who knows you well, and is usually intended for a new employer:
We will need references from your former employers.
b) a person who provides information about your character and abilities Synonym : referee:
Ask your teacher to act as one of your references.

6. [countable] a book, article etc from which information has been obtained:
a comprehensive list of references

7. [countable] a number that tells you where you can find the information you want in a book, on a map etc:
a list of towns, each with a map reference
⇒ cross-reference, ⇒ terms of reference at term¹(10)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. reference² verb [transitive] written
[Word Family: verb: refer, referee, reference; noun: referee, reference, referral; adjective: referable]
to mention another book, article etc that contains information connected with the subject you are writing about:
The book does not reference anything written in the last 10 years.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

reference
noun
I. mentioning sb/sth
ADJ. extensive | brief, casual, passing | occasional | frequent, repeated | constant | further They could find no further reference to Mr LaMotte in the records.
general | particular, special, specific She won a grant to study political science with special reference to China.
definite | explicit, express | direct | cryptic, indirect, oblique, obscure, veiled | clear, obvious | ambiguous, confusing | early one of the earliest references to the game of chess
biblical, cultural, historical, literary | written
VERB + REFERENCE contain, have Her diary contains no reference to the alleged appointment.
drop, make He dropped casual references to the legacy of his great work. The article makes no reference to his first marriage.
drop, omit The new constitution dropped all reference to previous wars.
find
PREP. in a/the ~ In an obvious reference to the president, he talked of corruption in high places.
in/with ~ to (written) I am writing with reference to your job application.
~ (back) to The summary should be comprehensible without reference back to the source work.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

reference
II. consulting sb/sth for advice/help/information
ADJ. easy, quick The book is organized alphabetically for easy reference.
further, future
PREP. by ~ to Our charges are calculated by reference to an hourly rate.
for ~ Retain a copy of the form for future reference.
without ~ to The decision was taken without reference to local managers.
PHRASES for reference purposes She needs the book for reference

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

reference
IV. number/note/symbol
ADJ. copious | full For full references of all books cited, see Appendix B.
appropriate Please send a full CV, quoting the appropriate reference.
cross-The cross-references refer you to information in other parts of the dictionary.
bibliographic/bibliographical | grid, map
VERB + REFERENCE quote | cite, give References to original sources are given at the end of each chapter.
REFERENCE + NOUN number
PREP. in a/the ~ The date of publication should be included in the reference.
~ to a reference to page 17
PHRASES a list of references

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

reference
V. letter about your character/abilities
ADJ. glowing | character
VERB + REFERENCE ask for | give (sb), provide (sb with), write (sb) | follow up, take up They've taken up my references (= contacted the person who provided the reference), so they must be interested in me.
PREP. ~ from a reference from your current employer

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

reference
V. standards by which sth is judged
REFERENCE + NOUN point
PHRASES a frame of reference People interpret events within their own frame of reference.
a point of reference Unemployment serves as a useful point of reference in examining social problems.
terms of reference The matter was outside the committee's terms of reference. purposes.
a source of reference The book is an invaluable source of reference for the art historian.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

reference
III. book containing facts/information
ADJ. general The book is by far the best general reference on natural history.
REFERENCE + NOUN book, material, source, work | library | section You'll find the information in the reference section of your local library.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

reference

make reference to something
Official reports made no reference to the incident.
there is a reference to something
There are 32 references to eagles in the Bible.
a specific/direct/explicit reference (=mentioning something specifically/directly etc)
No specific reference was made to the race of the children.
an oblique reference (=not direct)
He added, in an oblique reference to the US, that ‘some countries could do more’.
a brief reference
Brief references to the tragedy have appeared in the French press.
a passing reference (=one that you make while you are talking about something else)
He made only a passing reference to his injury.
frequent/constant/repeated references
Medieval literature contains frequent references to insanity.
an occasional reference
During the interview, he made only occasional references to his forthcoming autobiography.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

reference
noun
BAD: In reference to your letter of 6th September, I am pleased to confirm that the books have now arrived.
GOOD: With reference to your letter of 6th September, I am pleased to confirm that the books have now arrived.

Usage Note:
with reference to sth (NOT in ): 'With reference to your recent article in Amateur Gardening, there are one or two questions that I would like to ask.'
See also REGARD 1 (regard), REGARDING (regarding)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

reference
ˈrefrəns
See: in reference to or with reference to

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲