referral
ri-FUR-ul
/rɪˈfɜː.rəl/
The act of sending someone to another person or place for treatment, help, or advice, or recommending a product to a new customer.
In marketing, it specifically refers to a customer recommending a brand to a friend, often in exchange for a reward.
The story behind the word. This word traces back to the Latin referre, meaning 'to carry back' (from re- 'back' and ferre 'to carry'). Historically, it meant sending a matter to an authority for a decision. In modern commerce, it has been turned around: it is the act of a customer carrying a friend back to the business, acting as a trusted bridge between the brand and new buyers.
Word relationships
- recommendation: A recommendation is a general statement of approval, while a referral is the active process of directing someone to a specific business or professional.
- introduction: An introduction simply connects two people, while a referral carries an implicit recommendation or professional purpose.
Commonly confused with
- reference: A reference is a testimonial about someone's character or work history, whereas a referral is the act of directing a customer or patient to a service.
Word family
- refer (verb): To direct the attention or send someone to a person or place.
Collocations
- referral program
- referral link
- make a referral
- referral bonus
Example sentences
- "The general practitioner gave me a referral to see a cardiologist for further testing." Medical consultation
- "Our referral program rewards you with a twenty-dollar credit for every friend who signs up using your unique link." App marketing campaign
Memory hook
Think of 'refer-ral' as 'referring' a 'pal' to a store you love. Referral: Passing a friend to a brand.
When not to use
Do not use when simply mentioning a brand casually without actively directing or recommending someone to it.
Fun facts
- Dropbox famously grew its user base by 3900% in 15 months using a simple referral program that gave free storage space to both the referrer and the referee.
Related words
Explore more words
reference, Recommendation, endorsement, exchange, brand advocate, outreach
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