Referees Meaning in English

word · lemma: referee

US

ˌɹɛfɝˈiz

reh-fur-EEZ

UK

ɹˌɛfəɹˈiːz

ref-uh-REEZ

Definition

People who oversee and enforce the rules during a sports game or competition. They make decisions on plays and ensure fair play.

Usage & Nuances

Used mainly in sports contexts. Common collocations: 'soccer referees,' 'the referees blew the whistle.' Not used for judges in court—'referee' is almost always for sports, and the plural 'referees' refers to more than one official.

• Spanish: árbitros
• Portuguese (BR): árbitros
• Portuguese (PT): árbitros
• Chinese (Simplified): 裁判
• Chinese (Traditional): 裁判
• Hindi: रेफरी
• Arabic: حكام
• Bengali: রেফারি - বিচারক (খেলা সংক্রান্ত)
• Russian: судьи (спортивные)
• Japanese: 審判
• Vietnamese: trọng tài
• Korean: 심판
• Turkish: hakemler
• Urdu: ریفری - امپائر (کھیل کے لئے)
• Indonesian: wasit

Example Sentences

The referees watched the game closely.

basic

Two referees were needed for the basketball game.

basic

The referees made a decision about the foul.

basic

All the referees agreed that the goal was valid.

natural

Sometimes the referees miss a call and fans get upset.

natural

The league brought in new referees to improve fairness.

natural