noun

referent

REF-er-unt/ˈrɛfərənt/

The thing or idea that an expression refers to.

The actual apple is the referent of the picture on the card.

A hand points from a simple apple drawing on a blank card to an actual apple.

Etymology

reLatinback

+ferLatinto carry, bear

+entLatinpresent-participle ending

“Carrying back” developed into referring or relating one thing to another. A referent is the target of that reference—the thing or idea a word points to.

In context

RYAN JIMENEZ2:24

A referent doesn't have to be a physical object you can kick. Our words can point to a totally abstract idea, like success

Reference and Referent in Semantics

More examples

Both names have the same referent: the planet Venus.
Without context, the referent of 'that' is unclear.
Abstract nouns can have ideas rather than objects as referents.

Forms

referent · referents

refer verb — To point to something through language.

referential adjective — Relating to what words or symbols denote.

Similar words

denotation: Emphasizes conventional meaning rather than a specific contextual reference.
object: Can name what a thought concerns, not just an expression.