Referred vs. Refered — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 19, 2024
The correct spelling is "Referred," meaning directed or sent to someone or something. "Refered" is an incorrect spelling of the word.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Referred or Refered
How to spell Referred?
Referred
Correct Spelling
Refered
Incorrect Spelling
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Key Differences
Think of "Referred" as needing extra reinforcement, so it gets two 'r's.
"Refer" plus "red" equals "Referred," where "red" symbolizes the extra 'r.'
The word "Referred" sounds like it has two 'r' sounds in the middle; the spelling matches the pronunciation.
Remember that in English, verbs ending in a single consonant often double that consonant when adding 'ed.'
"Refer" starts with 'Re-'; when you extend it, you're simply repeating the 'r.'
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How Do You Spell Refered Correctly?
Incorrect: He was refered to a specialist for his condition.
Correct: He was referred to a specialist for his condition.
Incorrect: The teacher refered me to the principal's office.
Correct: The teacher referred me to the principal's office.
Incorrect: I was refered to an article about climate change.
Correct: I was referred to an article about climate change.
Incorrect: She refered the customer to the return policies page.
Correct: She referred the customer to the return policies page.
Referred Definitions
To send or direct for treatment, aid, or information.
The general practitioner referred the patient to a cardiologist.
To direct to a source for help or information.
She referred me to a specialist for my condition.
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.
Simple past tense and past participle of refer
To mention or allude to.
He referred to his notes while giving the speech.
To assign to a class or category.
She was referred to as the expert in the field.
To hand over for decision or consideration.
The case was referred to the Supreme Court.
Referred Meaning in a Sentence
The manual referred to a section that no longer exists.
The doctor referred her to a cardiologist.
She referred me to a website for beginner yoga.
They referred to the map to find their way home.
The guidebook referred us to the best restaurants in town.
He was referred to as a genius by his peers.
I've been referred for a job interview next week.
The historical document referred to an ancient king.
The issue was referred to the committee for review.
Customers are frequently referred to our online FAQ for help.
She referred to herself as an experienced traveler.
The case was referred to a higher court for judgment.
Students are often referred to tutoring services for extra help.
He referred to his childhood experiences in his speech.
The brochure referred visitors to the museum's website.
The novel referred to real-life political situations.
The term is often referred to in scientific studies.
The article referred to many important historical events.
The symptoms were referred to in the medical textbook.
She referred to her notes before answering the question.
Can you be referred to a specialist without a referral?
In the meeting, she referred to the company's quarterly earnings.
He referred back to the previous chapter in his book.
Referred Idioms & Phrases
Referred to someone's expertise
To direct someone to a person with specialized knowledge.
For legal advice, you should be referred to someone's expertise.
Referred with respect
To talk about someone or something with admiration.
The veteran is always referred to with respect in our family.
Referred to in passing
Mention something briefly or without detail.
The phenomenon was only referred to in passing during the lecture.
Referred to as the backbone
Used to describe someone or something as essential.
In the community, volunteers are often referred to as the backbone of many projects.
Referred to the archives
To direct someone to a collection of historical documents for information.
For your research, you'll be referred to the archives.
Referred with a nod
To acknowledge or indicate something non-verbally with a head gesture.
She was referred to the stage with a nod from the host.
Referred by a common name
To use a name that is widely accepted or recognized instead of the official one.
The chemical is often referred to by its common name rather than its scientific one.
Referred to the drawing board
To start a task over because the current attempt is failing.
After the failed experiment, it was time to be referred back to the drawing board.
Referred to by initials
To identify someone or something using the initials of their names.
The organization is commonly referred to by its initials, UN.
Referred with a twinkle in one's eye
To mention something in a way that shows amusement or affection.
He always referred to his old college days with a twinkle in his eye.
Referred to one's face
To speak about someone directly to them.
Any complaints should be referred to one's face, rather than behind their back.
Referred to the rulebook
To look to the rules or guidelines for direction.
When the disagreement arose, they referred to the rulebook.
Referred through the grapevine
To learn something informally and unofficially by rumor.
I heard through the grapevine that he was referred to a new job.
Referred under one's breath
To say something quietly or whisperingly.
He referred to the surprise under his breath, so as not to spoil it.
Referred with a heavy heart
To mention or direct attention to something with sadness or regret.
He referred to the farewell with a heavy heart.
Referred from A to Z
To cover or mention all aspects or from beginning to end.
The handbook referred to everything from A to Z about the software.
Referred in a roundabout way
To mention something indirectly or circuitously.
The issue was referred to in a roundabout way, never directly addressed.
Referred to the stars
To look up or aspire to something with great admiration or hope.
She always referred to her mentors as the stars guiding her path.
Referred behind closed doors
To discuss something privately or confidentially.
The matter was referred to behind closed doors, away from the media's eyes.
Referred across the table
To discuss something in a meeting or negotiation.
The terms were referred across the table before an agreement was reached.
Common Curiosities
What is the verb form of Referred?
"Referred" is a past tense and past participle form of the verb "refer."
What is the pronunciation of Referred?
/rɪˈfɜrd/
Why is it called Referred?
Derived from the verb "refer," meaning to direct or send, with 'ed' indicating past tense.
What is the root word of Referred?
"Refer."
Which preposition is used with Referred?
"To," as in "referred to."
Is Referred an abstract noun?
No.
Is Referred a negative or positive word?
Neutral, the connotation depends on context.
Which article is used with Referred?
No article is generally used since it is a verb form.
Which conjunction is used with Referred?
Typically "and" or "or."
Which vowel is used before Referred?
Could be 'a,' 'e,' 'o,' etc., depending on the sentence.
Is Referred a vowel or consonant?
The word contains both vowels and consonants.
Is Referred a collective noun?
No.
Is the Referred term a metaphor?
No, unless used metaphorically in context.
Is Referred a countable noun?
It's not a noun.
Is the word “Referred” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
As a verb, it could have a direct object.
What is a stressed syllable in Referred?
The second syllable, "ferred," is stressed.
What is the singular form of Referred?
"Referred" is already singular.
What is the plural form of Referred?
N/A, as "Referred" is a verb form, not a noun.
Is Referred a noun or adjective?
It's a verb.
Is Referred an adverb?
No.
Is the word Referred imperative?
It can be used in an imperative sentence, like "Get referred to a specialist."
How do we divide Referred into syllables?
Re-ferred.
What is the opposite of Referred?
Withheld, retained.
Is the word Referred a Gerund?
No, "referring" is the gerund form.
How many syllables are in Referred?
Two syllables.
What is another term for Referred?
Directed, sent.
What is the third form of Referred?
Referred.
How is Referred used in a sentence?
"The teacher referred the student to the guidance counselor."
What is the first form of Referred?
Refer.
What is the second form of Referred?
Referred.
What part of speech is Referred?
Verb.
Which determiner is used with Referred?
Not applicable as it's generally a verb.
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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.