# referral

/ɹɪˈfɝəɫ/ (US) · /ɹɪfˈɜːɹəl/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. medical or professional recommendation

noun · CEFR B2

the act of sending a person to a specialist for help or advice.

For teachers: the process of directing a patient or client to a specialist or higher authority for professional consultation or treatment.

- My doctor gave me a referral to see a heart specialist next week.
- The general practitioner issued an urgent referral to the oncology department after reviewing the patient's latest blood results.

Usage: Often used with the verb 'make' or 'get'.

### 2. business or job recommendation

noun · CEFR B2

when someone recommends you for a job or a service.

For teachers: the act of recommending a person for a position or a service, often within a professional network.

- I got the job interview through a referral from a former colleague.
- The company offers a significant bonus to any employee whose referral leads to a successful long-term hire.

Usage: Commonly used in the context of 'referral programs' or 'employee referrals'.

### 3. school discipline report

noun · CEFR C1 · American English · Slang

a formal note about a student's bad behavior sent to a school office.

For teachers: a formal written report documenting a student's misconduct, typically resulting in a meeting with an administrator.

- He was sent to the principal's office with a referral for talking during the test.
- After three verbal warnings, the teacher finally issued a formal referral for the student's persistent disruption of the lesson.

Usage: Primarily used in the United States school system.

## Examples

- My doctor gave me a referral to see a heart specialist.
- The clinic requires a written referral from a general practitioner before they will schedule an appointment with a consultant.
- The social worker's primary responsibility was to provide a referral to local housing services for families facing immediate eviction.

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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.