REFERENT meaning: 1. the person, thing, or idea that a word, phrase, or object refers to: 2. the person, thing, or…. Learn more.

The meaning of REFERENT is one that refers or is referred to; especially : the thing that a symbol (such as a word or sign) stands for.

A referent (/ ˈrɛfərənt / REF-ər-ənt) is an entity to which a name – a linguistic expression or other symbol – refers. For example, in the sentence Mary saw me, the referent of the word Mary is …

Apr 30, 2025 · A referent is the person, thing, or idea that a word or expression stands for. It can be an object, an abstraction, or a location in the document.

There are six meanings listed in OED's entry for the word referent, three of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: referent /ˈrɛfərənt/ n the object or idea to which a word or phrase refers Etymology: 19th Century: from Latin referens, from …

Define referent. referent synonyms, referent pronunciation, referent translation, English dictionary definition of referent. n. A person or thing to which a linguistic expression refers. American …

Referent definition: A person or thing to which a linguistic expression refers.

A referent is the actual entity or concept that a word, especially a pronoun, points to or represents in communication. Understanding referents is crucial for proper pronoun use, as they clarify …

A referent is what a word or symbol stands for. The referent is the concrete thing that’s being referred to, so an actual chair would be the referent of the word chair.