Referral vs. Referal — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 19, 2024
The correct spelling is "Referral," while the incorrect version is "Referal." Referral is a noun that describes the act of directing someone to a different place or person for information, help, or action.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Referral or Referal
How to spell Referral?
Referral
Correct Spelling
Referal
Incorrect Spelling
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Key Differences
Think of the phrase "real friends refer really" to remember the double 'r's.
Pronounce the word carefully as re-fer-ral, emphasizing all the 'r's.
Write it down multiple times to reinforce the correct spelling in your memory.
Recall that "refer" has two 'r's and so does "referral."
Mentally associate "referral" with "reference," which also has two 'r's in the root.
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How Do You Spell Referal Correctly?
Incorrect: The website's referal program is quite lucrative.
Correct: The website's referral program is quite lucrative.
Incorrect: She got the job through a referal from a friend.
Correct: She got the job through a referral from a friend.
Incorrect: I need a referal to see a specialist about this condition.
Correct: I need a referral to see a specialist about this condition.
Incorrect: Please fill out this referal form for your doctor's visit.
Correct: Please fill out this referral form for your doctor's visit.
Incorrect: He received a bonus for every successful referal.
Correct: He received a bonus for every successful referral.
Referral Definitions
Referral means directing someone to a different resource for help or information.
The doctor gave me a referral to a specialist.
Referral can signify the paperwork or documentation for such a recommendation.
I need a referral to see this physical therapist.
Referral also refers to the act of directing a client or customer to another service.
Many businesses offer a referral bonus.
Referral can denote a suggestion for job candidacy.
He got the job through a referral from a friend.
Referral in online business often means directing traffic to another website.
You can earn money through affiliate referral links.
To direct to a source for help or information
Referred her to a heart specialist.
Referred me to his last employer for a recommendation.
To submit (a matter in dispute) to an authority for arbitration, decision, or examination.
To direct the attention of
I refer you to the training manual.
To assign or attribute to; regard as originated by.
To assign to or regard as belonging within a particular kind or class
Referred the newly discovered partita to the 1600s.
To relate or pertain; concern
Questions referring to yesterday's lecture.
To serve as a descriptor or have as a denotation
The word chair refers to a piece of furniture.
To speak or write about something briefly or incidentally; make reference
Referred during our conversation to several books he was reading.
To turn one's attention, as in seeking information
Refer to a dictionary.
The act or process of transferring someone or something to another, of sending by reference, or referring.
The insurance company insists I get a referral from my regular doctor. I can't just go to the specialist; a GP has got to refer me.
(slang) A document used by schools detailing some form of a student's misbehavior and listing the actions taken before and after the student's receipt of the referral.
After misbehaving in class, George was given a referral for disrupting class and sent to the office.
A recommendation to consult the (professional) person referred to;
This patient is a referral from Dr. Bones
The act of referring (as forwarding an applicant for employment or referring a matter to an appropriate agency)
Referral Meaning in a Sentence
Through a referral, she found an excellent tutor for her son.
The doctor gave me a referral to a specialist.
The insurance company requested a referral before the procedure.
Many businesses thrive on word-of-mouth referral.
The patient needs a referral for further tests.
A referral bonus is offered to employees who bring in new hires.
To see that consultant, you'll require a referral from your GP.
She thanked her friend for the referral to the job opening.
A referral code is needed to apply for this offer.
The website's referral traffic has increased significantly.
Please use my referral link to get a discount.
A good referral can open doors in your career.
The referral system in the app encourages users to invite friends.
Our referral program benefits both the referrer and the referee.
The school's referral process for special education is comprehensive.
Referral from existing customers is the best compliment for us.
With the right referral, you can join the exclusive club.
For specialized care, a referral letter is necessary.
The referral link is broken; can you resend it?
She's waiting for a referral to the dental clinic.
They are looking to expand their network through client referral.
He got a referral to a top-notch physical therapist.
Without a referral, the appointment could be more expensive.
The company's referral scheme has boosted recruitment.
They appreciated the business referral, promising excellent service.
Referral Idioms & Phrases
Word-of-mouth referral
Recommendations made by satisfied customers to others.
Our business grows primarily through word-of-mouth referral.
Referral chain
A sequence of referrals from one person to another.
The job opportunities expanded through a referral chain.
Referral traffic
Visitors to a website who come from direct links on other websites rather than directly or from search engines.
Our blog's referral traffic spiked after the feature article.
Referral system
A structured process or program that manages referrals.
The company's referral system efficiently tracks both referees and referrers.
Referral source
The origin or person from which the referral came.
Knowing the referral source helps us understand our customer base better.
Referral bonus
A reward for recommending a service or product.
Employees receive a referral bonus for each new hire they bring in.
Client referral
A recommendation from one client to another potential client.
Our client referral rate has significantly contributed to our growth.
Referral link
A web link provided for the purpose of referring someone to a website or application.
Use this referral link to sign up and get benefits.
On someone's referral
Based on someone's recommendation.
I chose this course on my friend's referral and have enjoyed it immensely.
Direct referral
A referral made directly from one person to another without intermediaries.
I found my lawyer through a direct referral from a family member.
Referral fee
A payment made for referring a new client or customer.
Some agencies offer a referral fee for bringing in new business.
External referral
A referral from outside the organization.
We often receive external referrals from partners and community organizations.
Referral code
A code used to identify the source of a referral or to offer benefits to both the referrer and the referred.
Enter my referral code to get a discount on your first purchase.
Through the referral of
Because someone recommended or directed another person.
He got the job through the referral of a former colleague.
Internal referral
A referral within the same organization.
The internal referral led to his promotion within the company.
Professional referral
A recommendation from one professional to another.
The professional referral came from a well-respected expert in the field.
Referral process
The steps or procedures involved in referring someone or being referred.
The referral process for this medical treatment is quite straightforward.
Common Curiosities
What is the verb form of Referral?
Refer.
What is the pronunciation of Referral?
/rɪˈfɜːrəl/
Why is it called Referral?
It's called Referral because it refers to the act of 'referring' someone to something or someone else.
Which vowel is used before Referral?
"A," as in "a referral."
Is Referral an abstract noun?
Yes.
What is the root word of Referral?
Refer.
Which article is used with Referral?
Either "the" or "a," depending on the context.
Is Referral an adverb?
No.
What is the singular form of Referral?
Referral.
What is the plural form of Referral?
Referrals.
Is Referral a collective noun?
No.
Is the Referral term a metaphor?
No.
How many syllables are in Referral?
Three syllables.
Which preposition is used with Referral?
"For," as in "referral for services."
Which conjunction is used with Referral?
"And," as in "referral and consultation."
Is the word Referral imperative?
No.
What is a stressed syllable in Referral?
The second syllable, "fer."
Is Referral a noun or adjective?
Noun.
Is the word Referral a gerund?
No.
How do we divide Referral into syllables?
Re-fer-ral.
Is Referral a vowel or consonant?
It's a word, not a vowel or consonant.
Is Referral a countable noun?
Yes.
Is the word "Referral" a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It can be either, depending on the sentence structure.
What is another term for Referral?
Recommendation.
How is Referral used in a sentence?
"She obtained a referral for a medical specialist."
Is Referral a negative or positive word?
Generally neutral, but can be positive in the context of recommendations.
What part of speech is Referral?
Noun.
What is the opposite of Referral?
Non-referral or rejection.
Which determiner is used with Referral?
"The" or "a."
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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.