1
as in origin
a point or place at which something is invented or provided
we were uncertain as to the source of the rumors a source of inspiration
2
as in headwater
the beginning part of a stream
19th-century explorers who sought the source of the Nile
3
as in reference
something mentioned in a text as providing related and especially supporting information
the professor asked the students to have at least five different sources for their papers
Synonym Chooser
How is the word source distinct from other similar nouns?
Some common synonyms of source are inception, origin, and root. While all these words mean «the point at which something begins its course or existence,» source applies more often to the point where something springs into being.
the source of recurrent trouble
When is inception a more appropriate choice than source?
While in some cases nearly identical to source, inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.
the business has been a success since its inception
When is it sensible to use origin instead of source?
The words origin and source are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being.
an investigation into the origin of baseball
When can root be used instead of source?
While the synonyms root and source are close in meaning, root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.
the real root of the violence
Thesaurus Entries Near source
Cite this Entry
“Source.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/source. Accessed 13 Apr. 2023.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
Is there a word that means the same as the source or origin when generally referring to derivation (the process) or a derivative (the end result)?
Specifically one that would be textually similar to derive/derivation/derivative.
ex. «Derivation of [the source] produces 5 derivatives».
asked Feb 2, 2016 at 14:21
8
This might completely off the mark, but how about «the original»?
answered Feb 2, 2016 at 15:03
Zbyněk DrábZbyněk Dráb
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3
«Derivation of the underlying (product) produces derivatives».
answered Feb 2, 2016 at 15:41
rkchlrkchl
6864 silver badges7 bronze badges
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#1
What’s the difference between «source» and «reference»? and how do I use the terms?
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#2
Hello, nationi.
Both «source» and «reference» can refer to some book or article that you consult when you make a factual statement about something.
At the end of many books, you’ll find a list of «references», which are the books, etc. the author used in writing his or her book.
I think it’s a little more common to talk about «sources» rather than «references» when people are talking about the sources of information that they rely on for facts: I read that the world will have nearly eight billion people in it by 2050. Oh yeah? What is your source for that number?
Last edited: Dec 25, 2017
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#3
A reference is a mention of a source.
From the WR dictionary:
source
any thing or place from which something comes or is obtained; origin
source — WordReference.com Dictionary of English
reference
a direction of the attention, as in a book, to some other book, passage, etc.
reference — WordReference.com Dictionary of English
The source of a quotation is the place (book, newspaper, website etc.) from which you took the material quoted.
The reference is your listing of the source.
The list at the end of an article or book could be called either «references» (i.e. the author’s list of sources) or «sources» (the books etc. themselves which the author used in doing research).
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#4
In academic books, references to sources such as books, journals, articles, etc. are often given in short form – e.g. «Smith et al. 1982» – in the main text (and/or in footnotes or endnotes), with full details of them listed in a bibliography at the end of the book. There are also cross-references in the text, such as: «(see fig. 8 on p. 139)».
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#5
So, «source» is where I get my materials from (such as books, journals, etc.),»Reference» is a list of sources, and «Bibliography» always equals «Reference»?
Can I use the word «source» at the end of an academic paper instead of «reference»?
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#6
Yes, you should be able to do that, nationi. Abstract questions about what you can and can’t do in a paper are hard to answer. But many sentences in academic papers refer to «sources» of information.
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#7
I understand now, thanks!
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#8
Hello everyone
I wonder if my take based on these words «source» «reference» «bibliography»
based on my experience is correct. If not, please kindly let me know where I am mistaken:
Case one:
The «list» / «mention» at the end of a book used by the author to write a book / article can be called: «references» or «sources» or «bibliography».
Case two:
The place of a quotation (book, newspaper, website etc.) from which you took the material quoted can be called: «references» or «sources». (Bibliography) does not work here.)
Case three:
The materials (books) you have to study to pass an exam just can be called: «references». (To me, «sources» and «bibliography» do not work in this sense.)
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#9
Your explanation suggests that you misunderstand these words.
A bibliography is a full list — nearly always placed at the end of an academic book, along with other endmatter such as index, appendixes, glossary, list of picture credits, etc. — of all the publications referred to and/or mentioned in the main part of that book. (Any word with “biblio” in it refers to books.)
The words source (the book/article/speech etc. that a quote or piece of information came from) and reference (a mention of a particular source) should not be confused. See #3 and #4.
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#10
Your explanation suggests that you misunderstand these words.
A bibliography is a full list — nearly always placed at the end of an academic book, along with other endmatter such as index, appendixes, glossary, list of picture credits, etc. — of all the publications referred to and/or mentioned in the main part of that book. (Any word with “biblio” in it refers to books.)
The words source (the book/article/speech etc. that a quote or piece of information came from) and reference (a mention of a particular source) should not be confused. See #3 and #4.
Hence, the «bibliography» is the list of the books used by the writer, the «source» is the book etc. that an excerpt has taken from and the books themselves used for an author to write a book or a student to pass an exam would be a reference. Right?
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#11
A reference is any mention of a source in the main text of the book — where, for the sake of brevity, references are often made in short form.
Full listing of an article in the bibliography:
French, A. (1972), “Topical Influences on Herodotus’ Narrative”, Mnemos, 25, 9–27.
References to it in main text and notes:
(French in Mnemos, 1972)
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#12
A reference is any mention of a source in the main text of the book — where, for the sake of brevity, references are often made in short form.
Full listing of an article in the bibliography:
French, A. (1972), “Topical Influences on Herodotus’ Narrative”, Mnemos, 25, 9–27.References to it in main text and notes:
(French in Mnemos, 1972)
Point taken regarding «source» and «bibliography», but still the one which is used to call the several books which should be studied to pass an exam e.g. a university entrance exam is not clear to me lingobingo.
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#13
I don’t know of a specific term for that (apart from coursebook). Presumably you mean study materials for a particular course of study.
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#14
I don’t know of a specific term for that (apart from coursebook). Presumably you mean study materials for a particular course of study.
Study materials are those subjects that a student must study. (The subjects like math, literature, etc.)
But what I need is the «original books». For instance, let’s say a professor teaches algebra which is one of ten materials that a student must know to pass the university entrance exam. He recommends to the students to read a book called «X». But for those who are more interested to know that subject much better than the other students or those who want to achieve a better ranking among other university entrance volunteers, recommends to read …………….; Which book «X» was written based on them. Like:
1. The Man Who Knew Infinity by Robert Kanigel
2. Gödel, Escher, Bach by Douglas Hofstadter
3. The Colossal Book of Mathematics by Martin Gardner
4. Euclid in the Rainforest by Joseph Mazur
5. What is Mathematics Really? by Reuben Hersh
So, I wonder what would you call these five books here? A «reference» or a «source»?
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#15
They’re sources, as I explained in #9.
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#16
They’re sources, as I explained in #9.
I got the point now lingobingo. But I misunderstood you in post #9.
So both these books and where someone takes a piece of information from are called «sources». Right?
Meanwhile, I would really appreciate if you do me another favor and simplify your definition in post #9. I mean:
— The words source (the book/article/speech etc. that a quote or piece of information came from) and reference (a mention of a particular source) should not be confused. See #3 and #4.
It would be great if you kindly paraphrase it.
Actually, what confuses me is that if:
The Man Who Knew Infinity by Robert Kanigel
2. Gödel, Escher, Bach by Douglas Hofstadter
3. The Colossal Book of Mathematics by Martin Gardner
4. Euclid in the Rainforest by Joseph Mazur
5. What is Mathematics Really? by Reuben Hersh
are called sources, then what is a reference?
I always called each one of these 5 items either a reference or a source. But now I got that they are called «sources» only!
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#17
I’ve been explaining specifically about the term references as used in the field of academic publishing (definition 1.1 here: reference | Lexico).
But the word reference is used in other ways too. You seem to be talking about definition 1.2.
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#18
I’ve been explaining specifically about the term references as used in the field of academic publishing (definition 1.1 here: reference | Lexico).
But the word reference is used in other ways too. You seem to be talking about definition 1.2.
You understood my intention correctly lingobingo.
As Lexico says:
1.2. A source of information cited in a book or article.
Here, if I’m not mistaken, a «reference» is cited to be exactly the same as a «source».
This is exactly what I don’t understand lingobingo, (as many other dictionaries mentioned to.)
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#19
I don’t use it that way myself.
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#20
«A-friend said PaulQ’s book says «The River Nile has its source in Lake Victoria and the Nile is the longest river in the world».»
Here, if I’m not mistaken, a «reference» is cited to be exactly the same as a «source».
The source of the River Nile is Lake Victoria. -> the original starting point; the origin.
The reference to the River Nile is not Lake Victoria but is in PaulQ’s book. -> a reference need not be the origin.
PaulQ’s reference to the length of the River Nile is disputed (the words/facts of the reference)- the Amazon might be longer.
PaulQ says that his source for the claim that the Nile is the longest river in the world was the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism.
The neutrality of the source is disputed.
Last edited: Aug 25, 2019
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#21
I always understood the difference to be:
The sources of an author’s information are all the books he has read while preparing his article. Sometimes entitled Further Reading.
The references are the specific page numbers of the quotations he uses. These are often numbered and refer to Notes or Footnotes
The bibliography is the alphabetic list of sources, or the numeric list of references, as the case may be.
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#22
«A-friend said PaulQ’s book says «The River Nile has its source in Lake Victoria and the Nile is the longest river in the world».»
The source of the River Nile is Lake Victoria. -> the original starting point; the origin.
The reference to the River Nile is not Lake Victoria but is in PaulQ’s book. -> a reference need not be the origin.
PaulQ’s reference to the length of the River Nile is disputed (the words/facts of the reference)- the Amazon might be longer.PaulQ says that his source for the claim that the Nile is the longest river in the world was the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism.
The neutrality of the source is disputed.
Thank you Paul
But I think there is something missing here as Owlman5 mentioned in #5:
Both «source» and «reference» can refer to some book or article that you consult when you make a factual statement about something.
At the end of many books, you’ll find a list of «references», which are the books, etc. the author used in writing his or her book.
I think it’s a little more common to talk about «sources» rather than «references» when people are talking about the sources of information that they rely on for facts: I read that the world will have nearly eight billion people in it by 2050. Oh yeah? What is your source for that number?
Don’t you think there is an AE / BE difference here?
I think to Americans «source» and «reference» are the same when they are referring to some original books based on which some other books have been written or from which e.g. a piece of information has been taken.
Don’t you agree?
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#23
Don’t you think there is an AE / BE difference here?
No. It is down to individual understanding. I think we are all agreed that sometimes a source and a reference are almost the same and in other contexts, they are not.
«My reference for my claim is the article in «Wikipedia». The source of that claim is a manuscript written c. 200BC.»
«The source of, and the reference for, the quote are the same — I took it from «Hamlet» by Shakespeare.»
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#24
I always understood the difference to be:
The sources of an author’s information are all the books he has read while preparing his article. Sometimes entitled Further Reading.
The references are the specific page numbers of the quotations he uses. These are often numbered and refer to Notes or Footnotes
The bibliography is the alphabetic list of sources, or the numeric list of references, as the case may be.
Hello Keith and thank you very much for your participation in this discussion.
I have another question. Let’s say you are talking face to face or chatting through a community application like Skype to someone about a scientific topic. You mention something as a claim to an important issue. The listener (second person) who you are talking to, fall into doubt and wants to know where is the book/article etc. you have taken than claim from. What shall he ask you?
— Please let me know about the «source» of this statement.
— Please let me know about the «reference» of this statement.
No. It is down to individual understanding. I think we are all agreed that sometimes a source and a reference are almost the same and in other contexts, they are not.
«My reference for my claim is the article in «Wikipedia». The source of that claim is a manuscript written c. 200BC.»
«The source of, and the reference for, the quote are the same — I took it from «Hamlet» by Shakespeare.»
Bingo. So regarding the origin of a statement/claim they mean exactly the same.
Thank you very much Paul. 😍
Though the two words source and resource look a bit similar, they are two different words with different meaning. Source refers to a place or origin from where something is obtained. A resource refers to materials, staff, supplies and other assets that are needed for something to function effectively. This is the main difference between source and resource.
What is a Source
Source is a noun that refers to an origin from which something is obtained. It can refer to a place, person or thing. The meaning of this word can slightly differ according to different contexts. A source can refer to a person who provides information, book or document that acts as the primary reference, and the point of origin of a stream of water. Source can sometimes also refer to a generative force; in such cases, source also acts as a cause. The sentences below will help you to understand the meaning of source better.
Dairy products are a rich source of calcium.
They claimed that they received this information from a reliable source who wishes to remain anonymous.
The secondary sources are listed in Appendix A.
Solar energy is an important source of renewable energy.
This old wooden box has been a source of curiosity for as long as he remembered.
Source can also act as a verb. But this usage is not very common. As a verb, it refers to the act of obtaining something from a particular source.
Wind power is a source of renewable energy.
What is a Resource
Resource means something that can be used to function effectively. A resource can refer to money, materials, staff, or other assets. Oxford Dictionary defines a resource as a stock or supply of money, materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively. Resource can also refer to a natural feature or phenomenon that enhances the quality of human life. The word resource is mostly used in plural form.
The principal advised the teachers to make maximum use of the available resources.
This book can be used as a reference and a teaching resource.
Our country is rich in natural resources.
Our company doesn’t have the resources to complete such a project.
Apart from this meaning, a resource can also refer to an action, strategy, capabilities which may be adopted in adverse circumstances.
Resource can also be used as a verb. This verb refers to the act of providing with resources. But this is not a very common usage, as with the verb source.
Their country is rich in natural resources.
Difference Between Source and Resource
Definition
Source refers to a place, person or thing from which something originates.
Resource is a stock or supply of money, staff, materials, and other assets that can be used by an individual or organization in order to function efficiently and effectively.
Simple meaning
A source is a place from which you can obtain something useful or valuable.
A resource is something that helps you to perform some function.
Plurality
Source is mostly used in singular form.
Resource is mostly used in plural form.
You May Also Like These
Предложения с «source word»
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The Late Latin word is generally thought to originate from an Afro-Asiatic language, but every proposed source word has presented problems. |
Считается, что Позднелатинское слово происходит от афро — азиатского языка, но каждое предложенное исходное слово представляет проблемы. |
|
At no point in this article is any meaning actually given for the source word, whether Zink or Zinke. |
Ни в одном пункте этой статьи не дается никакого значения для исходного слова , будь то Zink или Zinke. |
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For reference, most translations seem to translate the source-word as being either ‘coat of mail’ or simply as ‘armor’. |
Для справки, большинство переводов, по — видимому, переводят исходное слово либо как кольчуга, либо просто как броня. |
|
An Excel spreadsheet works well as a data source for mail merge if all data is well-formatted and on one sheet so that it can be read by Word. |
Электронная таблица Excel хорошо подходит в качестве источника данных для слияния, если все данные находятся на одном листе и отформатированы так, что приложению Word удается их правильно распознать. |
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I mean, all I have is his word to go on and no offense, but he doesn’t present as the most trustworthy source. |
Я могу только на его показания опираться, а они — без обид — не самый достоверный источник. |
|
I mean, I… all I have is his word to go on, and… and no offense, but he doesn’t present as the most trustworthy source. |
Я могу… только на его показания опираться, a они, без обид, — не самый достоверный источник. |
|
You get that far along, you start resonating with the word. Or with its source on the material plane. |
Когда ты так далеко проходишь, то начинаешь резонировать со Словом или с его источником на материальном плане |
|
Many colleges and universities use the Purdue OWL website as an academic writing reference source for proper word usage, punctuation, grammar, and style. |
Многие колледжи и университеты используют веб — сайт Purdue OWL в качестве академического справочного источника для правильного использования слов, пунктуации, грамматики и стиля. |
|
At one time, common word-processing software adjusted only the spacing between words, which was a source of the river problem. |
В свое время распространенное программное обеспечение для обработки текстов регулировало только интервал между словами , что было источником проблемы с рекой. |
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As the Word, Jesus was eternally present with God, active in all creation, and the source of humanity’s moral and spiritual nature. |
Как слово , Иисус был вечно присутствующим с Богом, активным во всем творении и источником нравственной и духовной природы человечества. |
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This is the source for the word for asbestos in many languages, such as the Portuguese amianto. |
Это — источник слова для асбеста во многих языках, таких как португальский amianto. |
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It is of ancient roots, even to the word and its pronunciation, and you have yet to produce ONE SINGLE SOURCE for any other proposition. |
Оно имеет древние корни, вплоть до слова и его произношения, и вам еще предстоит создать один единственный источник для любого другого предложения. |
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The word ikigai usually is used to indicate the source of value in one’s life or the things that make one’s life worthwhile. |
Слово икигай обычно используется для обозначения источника ценности в жизни человека или вещей, которые делают его жизнь стоящей. |
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The usage of the word is a source of contention among some fans, owing to its negative connotations and stereotyping of the fandom. |
Использование этого слова является источником разногласий среди некоторых поклонников, из — за его негативных коннотаций и стереотипизации фэндома. |
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Unlike RS-232 modems the data source also supplied word marks which were passed to the sink. |
В отличие от модемов RS — 232 источник данных также снабжался словесными метками, которые передавались в приемник. |
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‘Child maltreatment’ should only be used when necessary or when the source specifically uses that word. |
Жестокое обращение с детьми должно использоваться только в случае необходимости или когда источник специально использует это слово . |
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That source suggested the followers of Byam became known as ‘Bims’ and that this became a word for all Barbadians. |
Этот источник предположил, что последователи Байама стали известны как бимы, и что это слово стало словом для всех Барбадосцев. |
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A particularly rich source of options arises when the plural of an acronym would normally be indicated in a word other than the final word if spelled out in full. |
Особенно богатый выбор вариантов возникает тогда, когда множественное число аббревиатуры обычно указывается в слове , отличном от заключительного слова , если оно написано полностью. |
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I don’t have a source for this and don’t know where to even find one but about half of people in the South do tend to drop the ING on a word. |
У меня нет источника для этого, и я даже не знаю, где его найти, но примерно половина людей на юге склонны опускать ИНГ на слове . |
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There is almost always an ambiguity during word-to-word translation from source to the target language. |
При переводе от исходного языка к целевому почти всегда возникает двусмысленность. |
|
Word games are generally used as a source of entertainment, but can additionally serve an educational purpose. |
Словесные игры, как правило, используются в качестве источника развлечений, но могут дополнительно служить образовательной цели. |
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Do you have a source that the word terrorism will cease to have all meaning if applied to the military use of bulldozers? |
Есть ли у вас источник, что слово терроризм перестанет иметь какое — либо значение, если его применить к военному применению бульдозеров? |
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Another source of confusion is the different usage of the word college. |
Еще одним источником путаницы является различное употребление слова колледж. |
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A trademark is a word, phrase, or logo that identifies the source of goods or services. |
Товарный знак — это слово , фраза или логотип, которые идентифицируют источник товаров или услуг. |
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The protection only exists for source-designating uses of the word, not descriptive or generic uses of the word. |
Защита существует только для использования слова , обозначающего источник, а не для описательного или общего использования этого слова . |
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I’ve been editing WP for years, and never had a problem when I’ve used the exact word of a cited source. |
Я редактировал WP в течение многих лет, и никогда не возникало проблем, когда я использовал точное слово цитируемого источника. |
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As of right now, you are the only source, and your word is not good enough. |
На данный момент Вы — единственный источник, и ваше слово недостаточно хорошо. |
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The word Sanskrit is on that page of Hatley source. |
Слово санскрит находится на этой странице источника Хатли. |
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A backronym, or bacronym, is a constructed phrase that purports to be the source of a word that is an acronym. |
Бэкроним, или бакроним, — это сконструированная фраза, которая претендует на то, чтобы быть источником слова , которое является аббревиатурой. |
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Priteni not the source, only a Greek word representing the native source. |
Притени не источник, а только греческое слово , представляющее родной источник. |
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This topic is a source of lively interest, both to lovers of word puzzles and lovers of words. |
Эта тема вызывает живой интерес, как у любителей словесных головоломок, так и у любителей слов. |
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and each source I checked did use the word caste. |
и каждый источник, который я проверял, действительно использовал слово каста. |
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What source refers to misotheism as a nonce word? |
Какой источник относится к misotheism как данное слово ? |
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you must provide a source which must use the word unusual in reference to the death. |
вы должны предоставить источник, который должен использовать слово необычный в отношении смерти. |
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ZPAQL source code uses a textual syntax, with each space-delimited word assembling to one byte in most cases, and comments in parenthesis. |
Исходный код ZPAQL использует текстовый синтаксис, причем каждое слово , разделенное пробелом, в большинстве случаев составляет один байт, а комментарии заключены в круглые скобки. |