referral

Everyday

1. A referral is the act of sending someone to another person or place that can help them better, especially from a family doctor to a specialist. tree →
2. A referral is also the letter or note that does this. tree →
3. (money, business) A referral is when a customer recommends a shop or service to someone else, sometimes for a reward. tree →

In the lessons

In health and adult life, a GP gives a referral to a hospital specialist. In school, a teacher may make a referral to a school nurse, counsellor or speech therapist. In shops and apps, "refer a friend" schemes give rewards for referrals. Phrases: "get a referral", "a referral to", "referral letter", "self-referral".

Examples

• The doctor gave my brother a referral to an eye specialist. tree →
• We are waiting for a referral letter from the hospital. tree →
• My teacher made a referral to the speech therapist. tree →
• The dentist sent a referral to the orthodontist about my teeth. tree →
• The gym gives you a free month for every referral. tree →
• Most of the shop's new customers come from referrals. tree →

Note

Countable: a referral, referrals. Verb: refer ("the doctor referred me"), past: referred (double r). Spelled with double r and one l: referral. In UK health care, you usually need a referral from a GP to see a specialist.