Referee vs. Referrer: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A referee officiates sports games or reviews academic work, while a referrer directs someone to another person or service.
Key Differences
A referee is a person who ensures that the rules of a sport are followed, making decisions on the spot during a game. A referrer, in contrast, is someone who refers or recommends another person for a job, service, or activity. Both roles are pivotal in their contexts; a referee can control the flow of a sports game, while a referrer can influence decisions in professional or medical recommendations.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Referees are also found in academic publishing, where they review and evaluate the validity of research submitted for publication. Referrers do not engage in evaluation but act to connect individuals or organizations to services or professionals that can meet their needs. In essence, referees are gatekeepers in sports and academia, whereas referrers are connectors or facilitators in various fields.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
The skill sets for referees and referrers are quite different. Referees need a deep understanding of the rules and the ability to make quick, impartial decisions. Referrers need to have a good understanding of the competencies or services they are recommending to ensure a good match. While the referee's authority is recognized and integral to the functioning of sports and review processes, the referrer's influence is more subtle and hinges on their network and reputation.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
In addition to sports, referees may also serve in legal disputes, ensuring fairness and compliance with legal procedures. Referrers, on the other hand, often appear in contexts like medicine where a primary care doctor may refer a patient to a specialist. Although referees can change the outcome of a game or the acceptance of a paper, referrers can change the course of an individual's professional path or health care journey through their recommendations.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Each word conveys a sense of authority; however, the nature of their authority is different. The referee's power is direct and often visible, such as when a referee blows a whistle to stop play. A referrer's power is indirect, working through the act of recommending or guiding someone towards a resource or service. Both roles require trust: athletes and academics must trust in the referee’s fairness, just as one must trust a referrer’s judgment and intent.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Role
An official in sports; an evaluator in academia.
Someone who makes a referral or recommendation.
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Authority
Direct control over a game or review process.
Indirect influence through recommendation.
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Nov 08, 2023
Skills Required
Quick decision-making, deep knowledge of specific rules.
Knowledge of resources or services, networking.
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Nov 08, 2023
Context
Sports, legal systems, academia.
Medical, professional, business environments.
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Nov 08, 2023
Outcome Influence
Can directly affect the outcome of a game or paper’s acceptance.
Influences by connecting people to needed services or contacts.
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Nov 08, 2023
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Referee and Referrer Definitions
Referee
Someone who mediates disputes.
As a referee in the debate, she maintained order among the participants.
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Nov 08, 2023
Referrer
A person who directs someone to another.
The doctor was the referrer for the patient to a specialist.
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Nov 08, 2023
Referee
An umpire in various sports.
The basketball referee blew the whistle for a timeout.
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Nov 08, 2023
Referrer
A link or agent that connects a person with a resource.
The website served as a referrer for various online courses.
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Nov 08, 2023
Referee
A person who reviews scholarly work.
The referee recommended revisions to the submitted article.
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Nov 08, 2023
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Referrer
An individual suggesting a job candidate.
The employee acted as a referrer for her friend's job application.
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Nov 08, 2023
Referee
An official in a legal proceeding.
The referee oversaw the arbitration between the two companies.
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Nov 08, 2023
Referrer
One who provides a reference for another.
She thanked her former boss for being a positive referrer.
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Nov 08, 2023
Referee
One to whom something is referred, especially for settlement, decision, or an opinion as to the thing's quality.
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Oct 19, 2023
Referrer
Someone who recommends a service.
As a referrer, he always recommends the best caterers in town.
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Nov 08, 2023
Referrer
To direct to a source for help or information
Referred her to a heart specialist.
Referred me to his last employer for a recommendation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Referee
(Law) A person appointed by a court to assist a judge in the trying of a case or to hear certain types of cases.
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Oct 19, 2023
Referrer
To submit (a matter in dispute) to an authority for arbitration, decision, or examination.
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Oct 19, 2023
Referee
(sports) An umpire or judge; an official who makes sure the rules are followed during a game.
The referee kicked Jim out of the game for fighting.
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Oct 19, 2023
Referrer
To assign to or regard as belonging within a particular kind or class
Referred the newly discovered partita to the 1600s.
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Oct 19, 2023
Referrer
To relate or pertain; concern
Questions referring to yesterday's lecture.
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Oct 19, 2023
Referee
(UK) A person who writes a letter of reference or provides a reference by phone call for someone. US English: reference.
Your application, along with letters from three referees, should be received by January 31.
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Oct 19, 2023
Referrer
To serve as a descriptor or have as a denotation
The word chair refers to a piece of furniture.
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Oct 19, 2023
Referee
An expert who judges the manuscript of an article or book to decide if it should be published.
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Oct 19, 2023
Referrer
To speak or write about something briefly or incidentally; make reference
Referred during our conversation to several books he was reading.
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Oct 19, 2023
Referee
To act as a referee.
He has to referee three hockey games this weekend.
She has to finish refereeing an article for Nature.
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Oct 19, 2023
Referrer
To turn one's attention, as in seeking information
Refer to a dictionary.
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Oct 19, 2023
Referee
One to whom a thing is referred; a person to whom a matter in dispute has been referred, in order that he may settle it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Referee
(sports) the chief official (as in boxing or American football) who is expected to ensure fair play
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Oct 19, 2023
Referrer
(internet) The URL from which a user agent was referred to another URL.
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Oct 19, 2023
Referee
Someone who reads manuscripts and judges their suitability for publication
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Oct 19, 2023
Referee
An attorney appointed by a court to investigate and report on a case
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Oct 19, 2023
Referee
An official who enforces rules in a sport.
The referee called a foul play during the soccer match.
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Nov 08, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are referees part of the game?
Yes, they are integral to the conduct of the game.
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Nov 08, 2023
What qualifications does a referee need?
They typically require knowledge of the game's rules and often a certification.
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Nov 08, 2023
What does referrer mean?
A referrer is a person who refers another person to someone or something.
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Nov 08, 2023
What does referee mean?
A referee is an official who ensures the rules of a sport are followed.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can a referee also be a judge?
Yes, in some sports like boxing, a referee acts as a judge.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can a referrer benefit from referrals?
Yes, they often get benefits in referral programs.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can a referee be a referrer?
In a different context, yes, a referee can refer someone for a job or service.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can a referrer be involved in sports?
Yes, when they recommend a player to a coach or team.
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Nov 08, 2023
Is referrer used in medical contexts?
Yes, it’s used when a doctor refers a patient to a specialist.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can a referrer be a company?
Yes, companies can refer individuals to other businesses.
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Nov 08, 2023
Is a referee the same as a referrer?
No, one officiates games, the other directs someone to something or someone else.
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Nov 08, 2023
Do both referee and referrer require expertise?
Yes, expertise in the relevant field is important for both.
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Nov 08, 2023
What is a web referrer?
It’s a webpage that links to another, sending traffic to it.
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Nov 08, 2023
Is the role of a referee limited to sports?
Mostly, but they can also oversee other types of competitions.
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Nov 08, 2023
How do I become a referee?
Through training and certification specific to the sport or activity.
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Nov 08, 2023
What's the origin of the word referee?
It comes from the verb "refer," meaning to direct to someone for a decision.
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Nov 08, 2023
Why is a referrer important?
They connect people with needed services or opportunities.
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Nov 08, 2023
What skills should a referee have?
Good judgment, knowledge of the game, and decisiveness.
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Nov 08, 2023
What's expected of a referrer?
To provide a trustworthy and accurate recommendation.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
Hifza Nasir
