# referee

/ˌɹɛfɝˈi/ (US) · /ɹˌɛfəɹˈiː/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. sports official

noun · CEFR B1

the official who makes sure players follow the rules during a sports match.

For teachers: an official who oversees a sports match to ensure adherence to the rules and to adjudicate on play.

- The referee blew his whistle to stop the game after a foul.
- The referee faced intense scrutiny from the media after several controversial decisions influenced the final score of the championship match.

### 2. job recommendation

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a person who provides a letter or statement about your character and abilities when you apply for a job.

For teachers: a person who provides a professional or character reference for a job applicant. In American English, the term 'reference' is more common for the person.

- I asked my former manager to be a referee for my new job application.
- Candidates are required to provide the contact details of two referees who can attest to their professional conduct and technical expertise.

Usage: In British English, 'referee' refers to the person; in American English, 'reference' is used for both the person and the document.

### 3. academic reviewer

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

an expert who reads a researcher's work to decide if it is good enough to be published.

For teachers: an expert in a specific field who evaluates a manuscript to determine its suitability for publication in a journal.

- The journal sent the article to a referee for a blind review.
- The author spent three months addressing the detailed criticisms provided by the anonymous referee before the paper was finally accepted.

### 4. to judge a game

verb · CEFR B2

to act as the official in a sports match.

For teachers: to perform the duties of a referee in a sporting contest or dispute.

- She was invited to referee the final match of the tournament.
- He has been refereeing professional football for over a decade, earning a reputation for his calm handling of high-pressure situations.

## Examples

- The referee blew his whistle to end the game.
- After the player committed a dangerous foul, the referee had no choice but to show him a red card.
- A professional referee must maintain absolute neutrality and composure, even when thousands of spectators are shouting in disagreement with a controversial decision made on the field.

---

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.