reference vs refer

reference is a noun but refer is not a noun.

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

reference (noun)	refer (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

reference (verb)	refer (verb)
refer to	think of, regard, or classify under a subsuming principle or with a general group or in relation to another
	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