Referee
/ˌrefəˈriː/
Definitions
2 meaningsAn official who enforces the rules in a game or contest.
/ˌrefəˈriː/
An official in a sport who controls the game.
The referee stopped the match because of a serious injury.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing a game and there's someone who makes sure everyone follows the rules, like the grown-up in charge. That person is the referee!
👶 For kids: The person who makes sure players in a game follow the rules.
More Examples
The referee’s decision to award a penalty was controversial.
A good referee needs to be fair and impartial.
How It's Used
"The referee blew the whistle to signal a foul."
"The referee oversaw the judging of the culinary competition."
To act as a referee in a game or contest.
/ˌrefəˈriː/
To act as a referee; to officiate.
She will referee the match between the two rivals.
💡 Simply: To act as the person who keeps everything fair and follows the rules in a game or situation. It's like being the grown-up in charge!
👶 For kids: To be the person who makes sure a game is fair and that everyone follows the rules.
More Examples
The coach sometimes referees practice games.
He had to referee his kids' argument about the toy.
How It's Used
"He volunteered to referee the local youth soccer game."
"The mediator will referee the conflict between the two parties."
Idioms & expressions
referee the situation
To mediate or resolve a conflict or difficult situation.
"The manager had to referee the situation between the two employees."
From Middle French *refreree* (to refer to someone), from *refrer* (to refer). Initially referred to someone to whom a question was referred for decision, later evolving to its current meaning in sports and other contexts.
The term 'referee' has existed in English for several centuries, initially referring to someone who decided disputes.
Memory tip
Think of the person *referring* to and enforcing the rules.