Meaning and Reference

Meaning

Meaning noun - The idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action.

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Reference and meaning are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Reference" instead a noun "Meaning".

Nearby Words: mean, means, meaningful, meaningless, meaningly

Reference noun - The relation between a word or phrase and the object or idea it refers to.

Usage example: he argued that reference is a consequence of conditioned reflexes

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Meaning and reference are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Meaning" instead a noun "Reference".

full	full meaning	full reference
nice	nice meaning	nice reference
clear	clear meaning	clear reference
particular	particular meaning	particular reference
Other adjectives: similar, common, specific, original, obvious, actual, real, little, sexual, religious, possible, apparent, implied, double, dual, historical.

When something is given a name which has more than one meaning or could be a reference to multiple sources.

Source: Multiple Reference Pun
The licenses on all the cars in Cars have some sort of hidden meaning, either an inside joke or a reference to the character.

Source: Vanity License Plate
If characters reference something outside the universe itself but has special meaning some other way (such as an Alternate Continuity or adaptation), it's a Mythology Gag.

Source: Continuity Nod

Cite this Source

Reference and Meaning. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/meaning/reference

Meaning & Reference. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/meaning/reference>.

Reference or Meaning. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/meaning/reference.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "meaning" and "reference" have occurred on timeline