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Referent vs Referential - What's the difference?

referent | referential |

As a noun referent

is the specific entity in the world that a word or phrase identifies or denotes.

As an adjective referential is

of a word or phrase applied to a particular person, place, or thing and not to any other.

referent

Noun

(en noun)
  • (semantics) The specific entity in the world that a word or phrase identifies or denotes.
  • That which is referenced.
  • Derived terms

    * absent referent

    Anagrams

    * * ----

    referential

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Of a word or phrase applied to a particular person, place, or thing and not to any other.
  • Serving as a reference.
  • Derived terms

    * coreferential * coreferentially * coreferentiality * nonreferential * referential integrity * referentiality * referentially * self-referential