1
: the swell of the sea that breaks upon the shore
2
: the foam, splash, and sound of breaking waves
surfed; surfing; surfs
1
: to ride the surf (as on a surfboard)
2
: to scan a wide range of offerings for something of interest
: to scan the offerings of (such as television or the Internet) for something of interest
surfer
noun
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
Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025
If frolicking in the surf or deep-sea swimming isn’t quite your jam, don’t worry—there’s an infinity-edge pool, along with an oceanfront loggia, a summer kitchen, and several sun terraces meant to mimic the coastline.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2025
Heather Knight, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
During her year off — amid the backpacking across the world — Hu took up a variety of different activities to stay in shape, from hiking and yoga to surfing.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surf
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Noun
After being acclimated to the new terrain, the dolphin was released and ushered past the surf line by local surfers.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025
If frolicking in the surf or deep-sea swimming isn’t quite your jam, don’t worry—there’s an infinity-edge pool, along with an oceanfront loggia, a summer kitchen, and several sun terraces meant to mimic the coastline.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
Simple pleasures include surfing at Stinson Beach, mountain biking down the trails of Mount Tamalpais or eating a Happy Hippie arugula salad under the redwoods at The Depot Cafe and Bookstore.
—Heather Knight, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
During her year off — amid the backpacking across the world — Hu took up a variety of different activities to stay in shape, from hiking and yoga to surfing.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surf
Cite this Entry
“Surf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surf. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
surf
1 of 2 noun1
: waves that break upon the shore
2
: the foam, splash, and sound of breaking waves
surf
2 of 2 verb1
: to ride the surf (as on a surfboard)
2
: to scan the offerings of (as television or the Internet) for something of interest
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