refer vs reference

refer is not a noun while reference is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
refer	No	No	Yes	No
reference	Yes	No	Yes	No

refer (noun)	reference (noun)
	the act of referring or consulting
	the most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression; the class of objects that an expression refers to
	the relation between a word or phrase and the object or idea it refers to
	a formal recommendation by a former employer to a potential future employer describing the person's qualifications and dependability
	a remark that calls attention to something or someone
	a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage
	a book to which you can refer for authoritative facts
	an indicator that orients you generally
	a publication (or a passage from a publication) that is referred to
	(computer science) the code that identifies where a piece of information is stored

refer (verb)	reference (verb)
think of, regard, or classify under a subsuming principle or with a general group or in relation to another	refer to
have as a meaning
make reference to
use a name to designate
seek information from
send or direct for treatment, information, or a decision
be relevant to