How to Pronounce Referral

To pronounce "referral", say REF-err-al — 3 syllables, IPA /ɹɪˈfɜːɹəl/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

referral

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Accent

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Speed

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Syllables

Letters

/ɹɪˈfɜːɹəl/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “referral”

"referral" has 3 syllables: ref-err-al. It rhymes with deferral and scurrile, if that helps it stick.

What does referral mean?

noun

The act or process of transferring someone or something to another, of sending by reference, or referring.
“The insurance company insists I get a referral from my regular doctor. I can't just go to the specialist; a GP has got to refer me.”
A document used by schools detailing some form of a student's misbehavior and listing the actions taken before and after the student's receipt of the referral.
“After misbehaving in class, George was given a referral for disrupting class and sent to the office.”

Hear “referral” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with referral

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

deferral scurrile squirrel epidural postdoctoral

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "referral"?▾

"Referral" has 3 syllables: ref · err · al.

What is the IPA transcription of "referral"?▾

The IPA transcription of "referral" is /ɹɪˈfɜːɹəl/.

What does "referral" mean?▾

Referral: The act or process of transferring someone or something to another, of sending by reference, or referring.

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