referral vs refer

referral is a noun but refer is not a noun.

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

referral (noun)	refer (noun)
the act of referring (as forwarding an applicant for employment or referring a matter to an appropriate agency)
a recommendation to consult the (professional) person or group to whom one has been referred
a person whose case has been referred to a specialist or professional group

referral (verb)	refer (verb)
	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