reference
A source of information, or the act of consulting a source; in libraries, a collection of books that cannot be borrowed but must be read on-site.
Reference books (like encyclopedias and dictionaries) are designed for finding quick facts rather than reading from cover to cover, which is why libraries keep them on-site.
Word relationships
- citation: A citation is a formal note pointing to a specific source, while reference can mean the source itself or the act of looking at it.
- consultation: Consultation is the act of seeking advice or information, whereas reference refers to the material or source being consulted.
Commonly confused with
- reverence: Reverence is deep respect, while reference is the act of referring to or consulting a source of information.
Word family
- refer (verb): To direct attention to or consult a source.
- referential (adjective): Containing or using references.
Collocations
- reference book
- reference desk
- cross-reference
Example sentences
- "The reference section contains dictionaries, atlases, and encyclopedias that cannot be checked out of the building." A guide to library layout.
Memory hook
Think of 'referring' a friend to a doctor. A reference book refers your brain to the correct facts. Reference carries you back to the source.
When not to use
Do not use reference to describe a fiction book or a biography that you read for entertainment; it must be a source consulted for specific facts.
Fun facts
- Reference librarians are trained research experts who can help you find answers to almost any question, from historical records to obscure scientific data.
Related words
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Also appears in
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