How to pronounce referral
Say it like rih-FUR-rul. Referral has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce referral. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- FUR
- rul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Referral pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- FURSay this part loudest and longest.
- rulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of referral
American and British speakers say referral in essentially the same way: /rɪˈfɜrəl/ in the US and /rɪˈfɛrəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-FER-ul.
What does referral mean?
- a person whose case has been referred to a specialist or professional group“the patient is a referral from Dr. Bones”
- a recommendation to consult the (professional) person or group to whom one has been referred“the insurance company says that you need a written referral from your physician before seeing a specialist”
- the act of referring (as forwarding an applicant for employment or referring a matter to an appropriate agency)
Where does referral come from?
From refer + -al.
Words that rhyme with referral
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of referral.
Questions about saying referral
How do you pronounce referral?
Say rih-FUR-rul. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈfɜrəl/. In British English it is /rɪˈfɛrəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in referral?
Referral has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FUR). Broken into parts: rih · FUR · rul.
Do Americans and Brits say referral the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɪˈfɜrəl/ and the British form is /rɪˈfɛrəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.