referential

[ ref-uh-ren-shuhl ]

adjective

1. having reference:

   referential to something.

2. containing a reference.
3. used for reference.

Other Words From

• refer·ential·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of referential¹

First recorded in 1650–60; referent + -ial

Example Sentences

I now live on the side of L.A. where the styling of luxury items is either ironic or referential.

From Los Angeles Times

But it’s creating an interesting position for designers to be forced to come up with new things that no one’s seen before, that aren’t referential.

From Los Angeles Times

Intersected at its peak by a thin crescent — most likely a representation of the Golden Order, the dark fantasy world’s ruling theocracy — it feels bluntly referential to saints and prophets and resurrections.

From New York Times

The feverish “Tortured Poets Department” is a full-throated return to her specialty: autobiographical and sometimes spiteful tales of heartbreak, full of detailed, referential lyrics that her fans will delight in decoding.

From New York Times

The researchers are now curious to know if this ability to understand referential language is specific to dogs or might be present in other mammals as well.

From Science Daily