referee

Everyday

1. A referee is the person who makes sure players follow the rules in a game like football, rugby or basketball, and decides what happens when they do not. tree →
2. A referee is a person who writes about you to say you are good for a job or school place. tree →
3. To referee is to act as the referee in a game. tree →
4. To referee an argument is to help people sort it out fairly. tree →

In the lessons

In PE and sport, the referee blows the whistle to start and stop play, gives free kicks and penalties, and shows yellow and red cards in football. Players must respect the referee's decisions even if they disagree. In everyday life, a parent might referee an argument between siblings. Phrases: «the referee blew the whistle», «argue with the referee», «assistant referee».

Examples

• The referee blew the whistle for half-time. tree →
• The referee showed him a red card. tree →
• Don't argue with the referee. tree →
• Our teacher refereed the netball match. tree →
• The referee gave us a penalty. tree →
• Mum had to referee a fight over the TV remote. tree →
• In rugby the referee explains decisions out loud. tree →
• A good referee is fair to both teams. tree →

Note

Plural referees. Informal short form: «ref». In cricket, tennis and baseball the official is called an «umpire», not a referee. Spelling: double e at the end; past «refereed», -ing «refereeing».