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Referee vs Spectator - What's the difference?

referee | spectator |

As nouns the difference between referee and spectator

is that referee is an umpire or judge; the official who makes sure the rules are followed during a game while spectator is one who observes an event; an observer.

As a verb referee

is to act as a referee.

referee

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (sports) An umpire or judge; the official who makes sure the rules are followed during a game
  • 'The referee kicked Jim out of the game for fighting.'
  • A person who settles a dispute
  • A person who writes a letter of reference or provides a reference by phone call for someone
  • Your application, along with letters from three referees , should be received by January 31.
  • An expert who judges the manuscript of an article or book to decide if it should be published
  • Usage notes

    * In general, a referee moves around with the game, while an umpire stays (approximately) in one place.

    Verb

    (d)
  • To act as a referee.
  • * 'He has to referee three hockey games this weekend.'
  • * 'She has to finish refereeing an article for Nature .'
  • spectator

    English

    Alternative forms

    * spectatour (obsolete)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who observes an event; an observer.
  • The cheering spectators watched the fireworks.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2012 , date=May 20 , author=Nathan Rabin , title=TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Marge Gets A Job” (season 4, episode 7; originally aired 11/05/1992) , work=The Onion AV Club citation , page= , passage=Bart spies an opportunity to make a quick buck so he channels his inner carny and posits his sinking house as a natural wonder of the world and its inhabitants as freaks, barking to dazzled spectators , “Behold the horrors of the Slanty Shanty! See the twisted creatures that dwell within! Meet Cue-Ball, the man with no hair!”}}

    Derived terms

    * spectate * spectatorship

    Anagrams

    * ----