noun
referee
rehf-uh-REE
noun
1
The official who enforces the rules during a sports match.
"The referee awarded a penalty kick."
"Players are not allowed to argue with the referee."
2
A person who provides a reference for someone, such as for a job application.
"Please list two referees who can vouch for your work experience."
verb
1
To act as the officiating judge of a game.
"He referees youth soccer games on Saturdays."
How to Use Referee
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe official who controls a game and enforces the rules, or someone who gives a reference for you.
UK vs US
In UK job applications, "referee" is the standard term for the person giving a reference; in the US, "reference" is more common for this sense.
Common pairings
argue with the referee
act as referee
list a referee
Word Forms
refereed past tense, referees plural, referees singular
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The _____ awarded a penalty kick.
Etymology
From Old French referer ("to relate, refer"), from Latin referre — literally, the person to whom a decision is "referred."