referral
UK: rɪˈfɜːrəl | US: rɪˈfɜːrəl
n. the act of directing someone to another person, place, or resource for help or information
n. a person whose case has been referred to a specialist or authority
n. (business) a recommendation of a product or service by a satisfied customer
The word "referral" emerged in the early 20th century, derived from the verb "refer," which traces back to Latin referre. The prefix re- (back) and root ferre (to carry) combine to imply "carrying back" or "redirecting." Over time, "refer" evolved to mean directing someone to another person or resource, and the suffix -al formalized it as a noun describing the act or result of referring.
The doctor gave me a referral to a specialist for further tests.
Employee referrals are a common way to fill job openings.
She received a referral bonus for recommending a new client.
The referral system helps streamline patient care in hospitals.
Online reviews and referrals greatly influence consumer decisions.