CEFR B2

referent

noun

Meaning

A thing that refers to something else or that is referred to; something that is represented by a word, symbol, or sign.

Examples

The pronoun 'it' has a clear referent in the previous sentence.
The abstract concept of 'justice' is difficult to pin down as a specific referent.

Synonyms: denotation, signified, designate, representation

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referent (B2)

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈrɛfərənt/

Definition

A thing that refers to something else or that is referred to; something that is represented by a word, symbol, or sign.

Examples

The pronoun 'it' has a clear referent in the previous sentence.
The abstract concept of 'justice' is difficult to pin down as a specific referent.
In linguistics, the referent is the actual object or idea that a word or phrase denotes.

How to Use referent

referent to (prepositional phrase): Something that refers to or is related to something else. — "The word 'he' is a referent to the male person previously mentioned."

Synonyms of referent

Words with a similar meaning to referent:

Antonyms of referent

Words with the opposite meaning to referent:

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