refer (redirected from referable)

refer someone to someone/something

to give someone the name of someone else or of an organization. My doctor referred me to a cancer specialist. She was referred to the Rare Books department of the public library.

Usage notes: people are usually referred to someone or something that will help them, as in the examples

refer someone to something

to bring someone's attention to something. I refer the reader to chapter 6.

refer something to someone/something

to ask that a problem or idea be considered by someone or something else. The Senate voted to refer the issue to a subcommittee. All inquiries should be referred to the central office in Philadelphia.

refer to someone/something

to mention or talk about someone or something. I think you're referring to a TV interview on a news program last week. Do you think he was referring to me?

refer to something

to look at something for information or help. He referred to the dictionary for the correct spelling of the word.

refer to someone/something as someone/something

to call someone or something by a particular name. Some people referred to them as freedom fighters, but to me they were terrorists. The area south of 9th Street is referred to as the South Slope. His real name is Charles, but his friends refer to him as “Chuck.”