surf

1 of 2

noun

ˈsərf 

1

: the swell of the sea that breaks upon the shore

2

: the foam, splash, and sound of breaking waves

surf

2 of 2

verb

surfed; surfing; surfs

intransitive verb

1

: to ride the surf (as on a surfboard)

2

: to scan a wide range of offerings for something of interest

transitive verb

: to scan the offerings of (such as television or the Internet) for something of interest

surfer noun

Synonyms

Noun

• foam
• froth
• head
• lather
• spume
• suds

Examples of surf in a Sentence

Noun

We could hear the roar of the surf.

beachgoers romping in the swirling surf

Verb

He learned to surf when he was living in California.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Their day-long comfort is complimented by their supernatural ability to go from the surf to the restaurant with nothing but a rinse. —Red Fabbri, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2024

Other ways to beat the heat include laps in the lazy river (steer your inner-tube underneath a waterfall) or by catching some waves on the surf simulators. —Brittany Anas, The Denver Post, 6 June 2024

Verb

The school’s surf instructors volunteered their time to teach the kids surfing for a fun morning in Oceanside. —U-T Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2024

Fittingly for the only Beach Boy who surfed, he was buried at sea following special dispensation from President Ronald Reagan. —Jordan Runtagh, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1685, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1917, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing surf

• crowd surf
• surf and turf
• surf casting
• surf clam

Kids Definition

surf

1 of 2 noun

ˈsərf 

1

: waves that break upon the shore

2

: the foam, splash, and sound of breaking waves

surf

2 of 2 verb

1

: to ride the surf (as on a surfboard)

2

: to scan the offerings of (as television or the Internet) for something of interest