# ref

/ˈɹɛf/ (US) · /ɹˈɛf/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ref
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. sports official

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a short name for a referee, the person who makes sure players follow the rules in a game.

For teachers: an informal clipping of 'referee', denoting the official who presides over a sporting match.

- The ref blew his whistle and gave the player a yellow card.
- The home crowd began booing the ref after a series of controversial decisions in the final minutes of the second half.

Usage: Commonly used in speech and sports journalism but less frequent in formal rulebooks.

### 2. a reference

noun · CEFR B2

a short way to write the word 'reference', often used in documents or emails.

For teachers: an abbreviation for 'reference', typically used in administrative, legal, or academic documentation to point to a source or file.

- Please include the job ref number at the top of your application letter.
- The legal clerk noted the case ref in the margin to ensure the documents could be cross-referenced during the hearing.

Usage: Often followed by a colon and a serial number or code.

### 4. a refrigerator

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Dialect

a short way to say 'refrigerator' or 'fridge', mostly used in the Philippines.

For teachers: a regional clipping of 'refrigerator' used in Philippine English.

- Don't forget to put the milk back in the ref so it stays cold.
- The technician arrived to repair the ref, noting that the compressor had failed due to a power surge.

Teaching tip: This usage is specific to the Philippines; in most other English-speaking regions, 'fridge' is the standard informal term.

## Examples

- The ref blew his whistle to stop the game.
- The players argued with the ref after he gave a penalty in the final minute of the match.
- While professional leagues use video technology to assist with difficult calls, the ref on the field still maintains the final authority over the flow of the game.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.