referent Definition
a thing or concept that a symbol or word refers to, as opposed to the symbol or word itself.
Using referent: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "referent" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
In the sentence 'The cat sat on the mat,' the referent of the word 'cat' is an actual cat.
Example
In semiotics, the referent is the object or concept to which a sign refers.
Example
The referent of the word 'love' can vary depending on the context in which it is used.
referent Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for referent
Summary: referent in Brief
The term 'referent' [ˈrɛfərənt] refers to the thing or concept that a symbol or word represents, rather than the symbol or word itself. It is used in semiotics and linguistics to describe the relationship between a sign and its meaning. For example, in the sentence 'The cat sat on the mat,' the referent of the word 'cat' is an actual cat.
