referent

R1E1F4E1R1E1N1T1
UK/ˈɹɛf(ə)ɹənt/

noun

The specific entity in the world that a word or phrase identifies or denotes: what it refers to.

“For quotations using this term, see Citations:referent.”

Similar
denotativedenotive
Less commonScrabble 11
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Meanings

nounreferent (plural referents)

plural referents

  1. human sciencesThe specific entity in the world that a word or phrase identifies or denotes: what it refers to.

    For quotations using this term, see Citations:referent.

  2. That which is referenced.

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectivehaving reference

Similar
denotativedenotive
Also see
denotativedenotivedesignatum

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

From refer + -ent.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian референт
  • референт (referent)that which a term denotes
Czech referent
  • referentthat which a term denotes
Danish referent
  • referentthat which a term denotes
Finnish referentti, tarkoite
  • referenttithat which a term denotes
  • tarkoitethat which a term denotes
Italian referente
  • referentethat which a term denotes
Polish desygnat
  • desygnatthat which a term denotes
Spanish referente
  • referentethat which a term denotes
Swedish referent
  • referentthat which a term denotes
Welsh cyfeirair
  • cyfeirairthat which a term denotes
Cite this entry
APA

referent. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/referent

MLA

“referent.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/referent. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “referent,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/referent.

Source: referent on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.