1. relating to or containing a reference to something else
2. having the function of referring to or denoting something
Usage: linguistics; philosophy

Examples

• The poem’s referential language made it difficult to understand without knowing the historical context.
• Many abstract paintings are non-referential, meaning they don’t represent recognizable objects.
• The author’s referential style included numerous allusions to classical literature.
• In linguistics, referential meaning relates to what words actually point to in the real world.
• The referential nature of the text required readers to have extensive background knowledge.
• Her referential comments about the meeting confused those who weren’t present.