surfing

noun

surf·​ing ˈsər-fiŋ How to pronounce surfing (audio)
Synonyms of surfingnext
: the sport of riding the surf especially on a surfboard

Examples of surfing in a Sentence

Her hobbies include diving and surfing.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Shields’ Instagram features dozens of photos of her adventures skateboarding, surfing, camping and hiking across California. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 The island nation has the gorgeous beaches travelers are looking for, but also a warm culture, vibrant marine world and aquatic adventures such as surfing and scuba diving with manta rays. — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 24 July 2026 Malibu Named after Olympic surfing champion Duke Kahanamoku, this classic Malibu spot leans Hawaiian and East Asian. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 22 July 2026 The Philippines, known for its stunning beaches and thousands of incredible islands, is an outdoor lover’s paradise where visitors can go hiking, enjoy top-level surfing, and more. — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for surfing

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of surfing was in 1926

Phrases Containing surfing

Rhymes for surfing

See All Rhymes for surfing

Browse Nearby Words

surficial
surfing
surfle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Surfing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surfing. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

surfing

noun
surf·​ing ˈsər-fiŋ How to pronounce surfing (audio)
: the sport of riding the surf especially on a surfboard

More from Merriam-Webster on surfing

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for surfing

Nglish: Translation of surfing for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about surfing

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