Definition of surface
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 surfaceb : an external part or layer sanded the rough surfaces
on the surface
: to all outward appearances
From the M-W Editors
Examples of surface in a Sentence
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.
Origin and Etymology of surface
French, from Middle French, from sur- + face face, from Old French — more at face
First Known Use: circa 1600
surface
Definition of surface
1a : of, located on, or designed for use at the surface of somethingb : 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
Examples of surface in a Sentence
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
1642
First Known Use of surface
1642
surface
Definition of surface
surfaced
;surfacing
transitive verb
1 : to give a surface to: such asa : to plane or make smoothb : 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
nounExamples of surface in a Sentence
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.
1778
First Known Use of surface
1778
SURFACE Defined for English Language Learners
surface
playDefinition of surface for English Language Learners
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: an outside part or layer of something
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: the upper layer of an area of land or water
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: the flat, top part of something (such as a table or desk) that you can work on
surface
Definition of surface for English Language Learners
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: involving only the parts that are easy to see or notice
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: involving the removal of the surface of a large area of land to get at coal or other material that is near to the surface
surface
Definition of surface for English Language Learners
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: to rise to the surface of water
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: to appear or become obvious after being hidden or not seen
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: to put a surface on (something, such as a road)
SURFACE Defined for Kids
Definition of surface for Students
1 : the outside or any one side of an object She floated on the water's surface.
2 : the outside appearance On the surface the idea seems good.
Definition of surface for Students
: not deep or real a surface wound a surface friendship
Definition of surface for Students
surfaced
;surfacing
1 : to come to the surface The submarine surfaced.
2 : to become obvious Claudia's impatience surfaced. — E. L. Konigsburg, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
3 : to give a new top layer to : make smooth (as by sanding or paving)
Medical Dictionary
surface
playMedical Definition of surface
: the exterior or upper boundary of an object or body the mesial and distal surfaces of a tooth
Learn More about surface
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for surface Spanish Central: Translation of surface Nglish: Translation of surface for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of surface for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
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