referent

Everyday

1. (language, formal) The real thing, person or idea that a word or phrase points to: in «the dog barked», the referent of «the dog» is the actual dog. tree →
2. The thing that a pronoun like «it» or «she» refers back to. tree →

In the lessons

In English and reading lessons, pupils find what «it», «they» or «this» refers to — that is the referent; mixing up referents makes sentences confusing. In maths word problems, finding the referent of «it» or «each» matters: «Tom has 3 bags; each has 5 apples» — «each» refers to the bags. Phrases: «the referent of», «unclear referent».

Examples

• In «Sam lost his hat», the referent of «his» is Sam. tree →
• Find the referent of «it» in the sentence. tree →
• The word «Paris» has a city as its referent. tree →
• An unclear referent makes a sentence confusing. tree →
• In «The cats ate their food», the referent of «their» is the cats. tree →
• Ask yourself: what is the referent of «they»? tree →

Note

Countable: referents. Specialist word (linguistics). Related: refer, reference. A pronoun usually refers to the nearest fitting noun before it, but not always — check meaning.