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 of surf

Noun

• foam

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

There’s also enough variety to keep older kids and teens engaged, from slides and surf simulators at the water park to tennis and pickleball at the John McEnroe Tennis Center. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026

On most days, the surf is loud enough to mask the steady purr of cars. —Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026

Verb

The company rode the last boom to a 2021 IPO and a market cap north of $4 billion, but then rising rates crushed mortgage volumes and exposed how much of its growth had been surfing a once‑in‑a‑generation tailwind. —Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026

In addition to surfing, Sugar also served as a therapy dog at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Long Beach. —Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for surf

• scurf
• serf
• turf

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