surface

1 of 3

noun

sur·​face ˈsər-fəs How to pronounce surface (audio)
1
: the exterior or upper boundary of an object or body
on the surface of the water
the earth's surface
2
: a plane or curved two-dimensional locus of points (such as the boundary of a three-dimensional region)
plane surface
surface of a sphere
3
a
: the external or superficial aspect of something
trouble lurks below the surface
b
: an external part or layer
sanded the rough surfaces

surface

2 of 3

adjective

1
a
: of, located on, or designed for use at the surface of something
b
: situated, transported, or employed on the surface of the earth
surface mail
surface vehicles
2
: appearing to be such on the surface only : superficial
surface friendships

surface

3 of 3

verb

surfaced; surfacing

transitive verb

1
: to give a surface to: such as
a
: to plane or make smooth
b
: to apply the surface layer to
surface a highway
2
: to bring to the surface
surface a sunken ship

intransitive verb

1
: to work on or at the surface
2
: to come to the surface
3
: to come into public view : show up
letters that have recently surfaced
surfacer noun
Phrases
on the surface
: to all outward appearances

Examples of surface in a Sentence

Noun The painting's surface is covered with fine cracks. The bowl has a shiny surface. The surface of wood was rough. Be careful of icy surfaces on the roads. Adjective Despite the surface differences between the two candidates, they are very similar in most ways. a surface stain on the wood that can easily be removed with a mild detergent Verb The whale surfaced and then dove back down. The information surfaced many years later. After several years, the actress surfaced in a comedy. The road needs to be surfaced again.
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.
Noun
Fine layers of latex were then sprayed onto the surfaces and removed a few days later, taking dirt away with them from the stones’ pores, nooks and crevices. Thomas Adamson and John Leicester, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2024 In 2024, many of them have battery power strong enough to run up to an hour uninterrupted and have suction capable of cleaning any room and any surface, without the inconvenience of a cord. Sarah Madaus, Architectural Digest, 29 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Yet the show somehow manages to add depth to its seemingly surface sartorial choices. Time, 11 Aug. 2023 The battery life alone (23 minutes and 30 seconds) makes this one of the best cordless vacuums, but there are some additional unique features that helped this Eureka multi-surface model stand out to us. Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2023
Verb
Read More: Instead of Hunting in Groups, Orcas May be Attacking Great White Sharks Alone Capturing the Killer Whale Hunt Killer whales surface to breath before taking whale shark down and delivering a rapid, final blow. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 29 Nov. 2024 Lyrics eventually appear onscreen, as tracks surface from the hazy darkness of their process — not only as subtitles but in the original Spanish as if the filmmakers had devised the film as a sing-along. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 28 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for surface 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Middle French, from sur- + face face, from Old French — more at face

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1642, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1778, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of surface was circa 1600

Dictionary Entries Near surface

Cite this Entry

“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surface. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

surface

1 of 2 noun
sur·​face ˈsər-fəs How to pronounce surface (audio)
1
: the outside of an object or body
on the surface of the water
the earth's surface
2
: any flat or curved two-dimensional area in space
the surface of a cube
3
: the outside appearance
on the surface the plan seems good
surface adjective

surface

2 of 2 verb
surfaced; surfacing
1
a
: to make smooth
b
: to apply the surface layer to
surface a road
2
: to bring or come to the surface
3
: to come into public view
letters that recently surfaced

Medical Definition

surface

noun
sur·​face ˈsər-fəs How to pronounce surface (audio)
: the exterior or upper boundary of an object or body
the mesial and distal surfaces of a tooth

More from Merriam-Webster on surface

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