English · Word Candidate

reference

/ˈɹɛf.(ə.)ɹəns/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: references · referencing · referenced

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

A measurement one can compare (some other measurement) to.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Một phép đo để so sánh với phép đo khác

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

Information about a person, provided by someone (a referee) with whom they are well acquainted.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Thông tin về một người do người khác cung cấp, người quen biết họ

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

Changes will befall, and friends may part, / But distance only cannot change the heart / And were I call’d to prove th’ assertion true, / One proof should serve—a reference to you.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To provide a list of references for (a text).

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Cung cấp danh sách tham khảo cho một văn bản

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Examples

You must thoroughly reference your paper before submitting it.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To cite, to use as a reference.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Trích dẫn, sử dụng làm tham khảo

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Examples

Reference the dictionary for word meanings.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “reference” mean?

A measurement one can compare (some other measurement) to.

Is “reference” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.