Referee vs. Referree — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 20, 2024
The correct spelling is "Referee," denoting a person who ensures fair play in sports or settles disputes. "Referree" is incorrect and should not be used.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Referee or Referree
How to spell Referee?
Referee
Correct Spelling
Referree
Incorrect Spelling
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Key Differences
"Referee" has three syllables, not four; no room for an extra 'r.'
Remember the phrase "one ref to rule," meaning one 'r' in the second syllable.
"Referee" contains the root word "reef," which has a single 'r.'
Associate it with other single 'r' words like "free" or "tree" to remember the correct spelling.
Think of "Referee" as a combination of "refer" and "ree," both spelled with single 'r's.
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How Do You Spell Referree Correctly?
Incorrect: The referree blew the whistle to stop the play.
Correct: The referee blew the whistle to stop the play.
Incorrect: He acted as the referree in yesterday's game.
Correct: He acted as the referee in yesterday's game.
Incorrect: A good referree knows all the rules of the game.
Correct: A good referee knows all the rules of the game.
Incorrect: They are looking for a new referree for the basketball team.
Correct: They are looking for a new referee for the basketball team.
Incorrect: The player argued with the referree over a foul call.
Correct: The player argued with the referee over a foul call.
Referee Definitions
A referee is an official who ensures fair play in sports games.
The referee blew the whistle at the start of the soccer match.
In research and publishing, a referee is a reviewer of scholarly articles.
The referee gave valuable feedback for the research paper.
Referee refers to an individual chosen to decide disputes.
In legal matters, the referee ruled in favor of the defendant.
A referee can act as an arbiter in commercial or contractual disputes.
The referee helped resolve the contractual disagreements.
In everyday contexts, a referee can be someone who mediates in any dispute or decision.
She acted as a referee between her two arguing friends.
A referee is an official, in a variety of sports and competition, responsible for enforcing the rules of the sport, including sportsmanship decisions such as ejection. The official tasked with this job may be known by a variety of other titles depending on the sport, including umpire, judge, arbiter (chess), commissaire, or technical official (by the International Olympic Committee).
One to whom something is referred, especially for settlement, decision, or an opinion as to the thing's quality.
Sports & Games An official supervising the play; an umpire.
(Law) A person appointed by a court to assist a judge in the trying of a case or to hear certain types of cases.
To judge as referee.
To act as referee.
(sports) An umpire or judge; an official who makes sure the rules are followed during a game.
The referee kicked Jim out of the game for fighting.
A person who settles a dispute.
(UK) A person who writes a letter of reference or provides a reference by phone call for someone. US English: reference.
Your application, along with letters from three referees, should be received by January 31.
An expert who judges the manuscript of an article or book to decide if it should be published.
To act as a referee.
He has to referee three hockey games this weekend.
She has to finish refereeing an article for Nature.
One to whom a thing is referred; a person to whom a matter in dispute has been referred, in order that he may settle it.
(sports) the chief official (as in boxing or American football) who is expected to ensure fair play
Someone who reads manuscripts and judges their suitability for publication
An attorney appointed by a court to investigate and report on a case
Be a referee or umpire in a sports competition
Evaluate professionally a colleague's work
Referee Meaning in a Sentence
The referee paused the game to check the rule book.
She dreams of becoming a professional soccer referee.
Every team game needs a referee to maintain order.
He respected the referee, even though he disagreed with the call.
The referee made a fair call on that last play.
Training to be a referee is harder than it looks.
The young referee was nervous before his first big game.
The referee called a timeout to review the play.
The referee signaled the end of the game.
Without a referee, the game would descend into chaos.
She earned respect as a referee through her fair judgment.
Good communication skills are essential for a referee.
She's known for being a fair and unbiased referee.
The referee spent hours studying the game's rules.
He aspires to referee at the national championships someday.
The referee has the final say on all game calls.
The referee checked his watch before starting the game.
Being a referee requires a deep understanding of the sport.
Her decision to become a referee was inspired by her love for basketball.
A referee must keep up with the fast pace of the game.
Common Curiosities
What is the pronunciation of Referee?
/ˌrɛfəˈriː/
Which preposition is used with Referee?
By, for, or with, depending on the context.
Why is it called Referee?
Derived from the verb "to refer," a referee is someone who "refers" to the rules to make decisions.
Which vowel is used before Referee?
Often "the," but depends on context.
What is the root word of Referee?
Refer.
What is the plural form of Referee?
Referees.
What is the verb form of Referee?
To referee.
Which article is used with Referee?
The, or sometimes a/an.
Is Referee an abstract noun?
No, it's a concrete noun.
Is Referee a vowel or consonant?
It's a word, not a letter.
Is Referee a collective noun?
No.
Is the Referee term a metaphor?
No.
Which conjunction is used with Referee?
And, or, but.
What part of speech is Referee?
Noun.
Which determiner is used with Referee?
The, a, an.
What is the singular form of Referee?
Referee.
Is Referee an adverb?
No.
Is the word Referee a gerund?
No.
Is Referee a negative or positive word?
Neutral.
What is the opposite of Referee?
Player or competitor.
How is Referee used in a sentence?
"The referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the game."
Is Referee a countable noun?
Yes.
How many syllables are in Referee?
Three.
What is a stressed syllable in Referee?
The last syllable, "ee."
What is another term for Referee?
Umpire, judge, arbiter.
Is Referee a noun or adjective?
Noun.
Is the word Referee imperative?
No.
Is the word "Referee" a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It can be either, depending on sentence structure.
How do we divide Referee into syllables?
Ref-er-ee.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
