The symbol is the word that represents the thought, and the referent is the object or idea to which the symbol refers.

What is a symbol example?

A symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. ... For example, a red octagon is a common symbol for "STOP"; on maps, blue lines often represent rivers; and a red rose often symbolizes love and compassion.

What is a referent example?

A referent (/ˈrɛfərənt/) is a person or thing to which a name – a linguistic expression or other symbol – refers. For example, in the sentence Mary saw me, the referent of the word Mary is the particular person called Mary who is being spoken of, while the referent of the word me is the person uttering the sentence.