What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
referent
Example
In the sentence 'The cat is sleeping on the mat,' the referent of 'cat' is the actual feline animal.
Example
The pronoun 'it' in the sentence 'I saw a bird, and it was flying high in the sky' refers to the referent of the bird.
meaning
Example
The meaning of the word 'love' is a strong feeling of affection or attachment towards someone or something. [meaning: noun]
Example
She asked for the meaning of the poem, as she was having trouble understanding its message. [meaning: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Meaning is a more common term used in everyday language, while referent is a more technical term used mainly in linguistics.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between referent and meaning?
Referent is a more formal term used mainly in academic or technical contexts, while meaning can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
