surface

noun

sur·face | \ ˈsər-fəs

Definition of surface

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

3a : the external or superficial aspect of something trouble lurks below the surface

b : an external part or layer sanded the rough surfaces

on the surface

: to all outward appearances

surface

adjective

Definition of surface (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : 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

verb

surfaced; surfacing

Definition of surface (Entry 3 of 3)

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

Other Words from surface Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about surface

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Synonyms & Antonyms for surface

Synonyms: Noun

exterior, face, outside, shell, skin, veneer

Synonyms: Adjective

skin-deep, superficial

Synonyms: Verb

arise, come up, crop (up), emerge, materialize, spring (up)

Antonyms: Noun

inside, interior

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: Noun

The exhibit also includes a simulator of the lunar landing experience and delves into the engineering breakthroughs that propelled astronauts onto the lunar surface. — Hayley Kaufman, BostonGlobe.com, "‘One giant leap’: How to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing around Boston," 13 July 2019 An earthquake will begin at a particular point under the Earth’s surface, then move along a fault. — Rong-gong Lin Ii, latimes.com, "Ridgecrest earthquake packed the power of 45 nuclear bombs, but its impact was muted," 13 July 2019 Not only were the two wingtips flashing out of the water, but the two tail wings were also visible and rising above the surface. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "Giant Manta Ray Stuns Onlookers off Alabama Coast," 12 July 2019 Bartoszek removed his shoes and socks, waded into the pond, felt around with his feet, located the snake, reached under the surface, grabbed it behind the head and brought it out. — Gena Steffens, Smithsonian, "The Snakes That Ate Florida," 11 July 2019 Astronauts would travel to the Gateway and transition to the Moon’s surface from there. — Lee Roop | Lroop@al.com, al.com, "NASA shakes up spaceflight leadership," 11 July 2019 Gathering mammoth remains from the surface is legal in Yakutia with a permit. — Ann M. Simmons, WSJ, "A Mammoth Problem Emerges in Siberia," 10 July 2019 In fields surrounding the city, the USGS made mock craters to resemble the moon’s surface by exploding holes in fields. — Charlie Lapastora, Fox News, "Arizona city played critical role in moon exploration history," 10 July 2019 The Surveyor proved the lunar surface was solid enough to land on. — Weldon B. Johnson, azcentral, "How ASU, University of Arizona scientists helped Apollo astronauts land on the moon," 9 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Word surfaced about the severity of the injury and expectations for the No. — Jim Mcbride, BostonGlobe.com, "With #WinWithWynnWednesday, Isaiah Wynn a study in the power of positive thinking," 13 July 2019 Her financial gains surfaced in records tied to husband Jeremiah Quarles’ theft case. — Miles Moffeit Elvia Limón, Dallas News, "Tax funds stolen by her husband helped a DeSoto councilwoman. Why didn't authorities fully investigate?," 12 July 2019 Warriors World Reports have surfaced in recent weeks about Cousins being problematic behind the scenes with the Warriors. — Connor Letourneau, SFChronicle.com, "DeMarcus Cousins, Quinn Cook agree to sign with Lakers," 6 July 2019 Shanahan resigned suddenly last week after accounts surfaced about his contentious divorce. — Washington Post, "Acting Pentagon chief Esper presses NATO on spending in his international debut," 28 June 2019 Kevin Quinn has also been a controversial figure; Madigan sidelined Quinn in recent months after #MeToo allegations surfaced about the political operative. — Lisa Donovan, chicagotribune.com, "The Spin: Biden, Warren among Dem presidential hopefuls campaigning in Chicago in the next 5 days," 27 June 2019 The news comes as reports have surfaced about tension between the Japanese-French automotive alliance. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, "Waymo strikes a deal with Nissan-Renault to bring driverless cars to Japan and France," 20 June 2019 An embarrassing story would surface about a program, NCAA investigators would move in and, some months or years down the line, slap the program with a postseason ban or scrub some wins from the record book. — Rachel Bachman, WSJ, "The Sweet 16 Team Without a Coach," 27 Mar. 2019 Toward the end, a crucial story that keeps surfacing in tantalizing fragments, about the death of Watak, Marwand’s uncle, is finally told in its entirety—in Pashto. — Lidija Haas, Harper's magazine, "New Books," 10 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'surface.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.