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 is a high risk of dangerous rip currents and rough surf at all Central Florida beaches. —Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026

The searing conditions have turned deadly, with multiple drownings in British lakes, French surf and Spanish beaches as people seek relief before lifeguard patrols and summer safety measures are fully in place. —Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026

Verb

Gulotta said that just on Tuesday two teens were busted subway surfing on the Williamsburg, with three more busted in Bensonhurst for riding on the back of an F train. —Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 27 May 2026

When surfing at high speed, the decisions to access or finish longer text chunks and to ponder what is included and excluded through various linking strategies can be avoided. —Carmen Daniela Maier, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 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