# refs

/ɹˈɛfs/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. sports officials

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

the people in a sports game who make sure everyone follows the rules.

For teachers: the plural of 'ref', a clipped form of 'referee'; refers to officials who supervise a match.

- The fans were angry because the refs missed a clear foul.
- The league decided to increase the number of refs on the field to ensure better coverage of high-speed plays.

Usage: Commonly used in speech and sports journalism as a shorter alternative to 'referees'.

### 2. document references

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · Academic

a list of sources or books mentioned at the end of a report or essay.

For teachers: the plural of 'ref', a clipped form of 'reference'; used in academic or professional contexts to denote citations.

- Don't forget to check your refs before you submit the final paper.
- The editor noted that several of the refs in the bibliography were missing their publication dates.

Usage: Frequently used in academic shorthand or informal professional communication.

## Examples

- The fans were angry at the refs for that last call.
- After the game, the coach refused to blame the refs for the loss, despite several controversial decisions.
- While professional leagues use high-tech replays to assist with difficult decisions, the refs on the field still bear the primary responsibility for maintaining the flow and integrity of the match.

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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.