Pronunciation: /rɪˈfɜr tuː/
noun a mention or allusion to something
A1 In this book, the term 'refer to' is used to indicate when something is being mentioned or alluded to.
A2 Students at this level should be able to understand simple sentences that refer to familiar objects or actions.
B1 The report contains several charts and graphs that refer to the company's financial performance.
B2 When writing a research paper, it is important to properly cite and refer to all sources used.
C1 The author's use of language in this novel is so rich and complex that it requires careful analysis to fully understand all the references made.
C2 Scholars often debate the true meaning behind certain passages in ancient texts that refer to historical events.
verb to mention or allude to something
A1 When you don't know the answer, you can refer to the textbook for help.
A2 In this lesson, we will refer to the map to locate different countries.
B1 When writing a research paper, it is important to refer to credible sources.
B2 The professor asked the students to refer to specific chapters in the textbook for further reading.
C1 The lawyer will refer to previous case law to build his argument.
C2 Experts in the field often refer to this groundbreaking study as a turning point in the research.
preposition used to direct someone's attention to something
A1 Please refer to the map if you get lost.
A2 When in doubt, refer to the user manual for instructions.
B1 In this case, it is best to refer to the expert for advice.
B2 When discussing the topic, it is important to refer to reliable sources.
C1 The author frequently refers to historical events in his novels.
C2 The professor referred to several studies to support her argument.
formal In academic writing, it is important to properly refer to all sources used in your research.
informal Can you refer to the manual for instructions on how to assemble the furniture?
slang I don't know what you're talking about, can you refer to it in simpler terms?
figurative When I say 'let's grab a bite', I am actually referring to going out for dinner.
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