surf

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈsərf 

1

: the swell of the sea that breaks upon the shore

2

: the foam, splash, and sound of breaking waves

surf

2 of 3

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

surfer

3 of 3

noun (2)

surf·​er

ˈsərfər

plural -s

1

dialectal : surf scoter

2

: one who rides a surfboard

3

: one who scans a wide range of offerings (as on television or the Internet) for something of interest

she was also a constant surfer of all things online

—Garry Wills

Synonyms of surf

Noun (1)

• foam

Examples of surf in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

Big surf from a previous swell contributed to a drowning Saturday off Dana Point and, on Wednesday afternoon, the search continued for a young girl swept off the sand Tuesday evening in Laguna Beach. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 11 June 2026

All were treated to an exquisite seated dinner of tropical fruit salad and surf-and-turf entrees. —Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026

Verb

The company is surfing one of the most intense demand waves in the technology sector, but their primary approach is to enhance the density of their hard drives rather than increasing their production quantity. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

Founders Robert Giuliani and Abby Taylor launched Playa Bowls along the Jersey Shore after experiencing acai and pitaya bowls on surfing trips to Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, California and Hawaii, according to company history. —Jason Dill june 11, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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