What does reference mean?
Word: Reference
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Reference means words that point to or speak briefly about something; also a book or source you look at to find information.
Synonyms: source
How do you spell reference?
Syllables: ref - er - ence
Tricky part: The ending is ence, not ance. Referance is a frequent slip.
Watch out for: referance, referanse
Memory tip: Every reference needs evidence, and the two words end in exactly the same way.
Reference in a sentence
Example 1: Keep the dictionary on your desk for reference during the English lesson.
Example 2: Grandpa's story had a reference to the old steam trains of his village.
Example 3: Our project ends with a list of every reference we used.
Fun Fact
Books in a library's reference section usually cannot be borrowed and must be read inside the library.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
refference
a) n
b) e
c) f
d) r
Show answer
c) f. One f is all this word needs.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) refrence
b) audience
c) patience
d) science
Show answer
a) refrence. The middle syllable, er, has been squeezed out of this spelling.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
efnercree
a) conference
b) preference
c) reference
d) referee
Show answer
c) reference. Referee is too short, and the jumble has no o or p, so it can only be reference.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word:
reference
a) reward
b) answer
c) mention
d) request
Show answer
c) mention. A reference to something is a mention of it.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. When Dev applied to join the city choir, his music teacher wrote him a reference. What did she write?
a) a timetable of choir practice
b) a list of songs for the concert
c) a letter about his singing and his character
d) a bill for his music lessons
Show answer
c) a letter about his singing and his character
2. Which book belongs in a library's reference section?
a) a storybook
b) a comic
c) an atlas
d) a joke book
Show answer
c) an atlas
