referential

adjective

ref·​er·​en·​tial ˌre-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl 

: of, containing, or constituting a reference

especially : pointing to or involving a referent

referential language

referential meaning

referentiality

ˌre-fə-ˌren(t)-shē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

referentially

ˌre-fə-ˈren(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of referential in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unofficially, the headliner that night was Sematary, who at the time was 23, and whose role as leader of the young, spectral, and heavily referential rap collective had recently come into question. —Meaghan Garvey, Pitchfork, 13 Mar. 2025

What other player can turn a referential fashion choice into a heartfelt moment? —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2025

Matthews started out as Baskin’s assistant before stepping up and putting her own stamp on the format—independently hilarious, often referential and conceptual setups for her subjects. —Emma Allen, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2025

Every show from the New York designer is a celebration of craft, and this one felt deeply referential in its call for reflection. —Essence, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for referential

• consequential
• deferential
• evidential
• existential
• exponential
• influential
• nonessential
• penitential
• precedential
• preferential
• presidential
• providential