Referral vs. Referal — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 13, 2023
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.
Which is correct: Referral or Referal
How to spell Referral?
Referral
Correct Spelling
Referal
Incorrect Spelling
Difference Between Referral and Referal
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Think of the phrase "real friends refer really" to remember the double 'r's.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 13, 2023
Pronounce the word carefully as re-fer-ral, emphasizing all the 'r's.
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Write it down multiple times to reinforce the correct spelling in your memory.
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Recall that "refer" has two 'r's and so does "referral."
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Mentally associate "referral" with "reference," which also has two 'r's in the root.
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Definitions
Referral➦
Referral means directing someone to a different resource for help or information.
The doctor gave me a referral to a specialist.
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Referral➦
Referral can signify the paperwork or documentation for such a recommendation.
I need a referral to see this physical therapist.
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Referral➦
Referral also refers to the act of directing a client or customer to another service.
Many businesses offer a referral bonus.
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Referral➦
Referral can denote a suggestion for job candidacy.
He got the job through a referral from a friend.
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Referral➦
Referral in online business often means directing traffic to another website.
You can earn money through affiliate referral links.
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Referral➦
To direct to a source for help or information
Referred her to a heart specialist.
Referred me to his last employer for a recommendation.
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Referral➦
To submit (a matter in dispute) to an authority for arbitration, decision, or examination.
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Referral➦
To assign to or regard as belonging within a particular kind or class
Referred the newly discovered partita to the 1600s.
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Referral➦
To relate or pertain; concern
Questions referring to yesterday's lecture.
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Referral➦
To serve as a descriptor or have as a denotation
The word chair refers to a piece of furniture.
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Referral➦
To speak or write about something briefly or incidentally; make reference
Referred during our conversation to several books he was reading.
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Referral➦
To turn one's attention, as in seeking information
Refer to a dictionary.
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Referral➦
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.
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Referral➦
(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.
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Referral➦
A recommendation to consult the (professional) person referred to;
This patient is a referral from Dr. Bones
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Referral➦
The act of referring (as forwarding an applicant for employment or referring a matter to an appropriate agency)
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FAQs
Why is it called Referral?
It's called Referral because it refers to the act of 'referring' someone to something or someone else.
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Which article is used with Referral?
Either "the" or "a," depending on the context.
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Which preposition is used with Referral?
"For," as in "referral for services."
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Which conjunction is used with Referral?
"And," as in "referral and consultation."
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Is the word "Referral" a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It can be either, depending on the sentence structure.
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How is Referral used in a sentence?
"She obtained a referral for a medical specialist."
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Is Referral a negative or positive word?
Generally neutral, but can be positive in the context of recommendations.
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Author Spotlight
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 editor 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.
