surface

1 of 3

noun

sur·​face ˈsər-fəs 

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

Synonyms

Noun

• exterior
• face
• outside
• shell
• skin
• veneer

Adjective

• skin-deep
• superficial

Verb

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

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

Often the damage is only along the main veins but can affect the entire surface of leaves. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025

Not every surface in your house can handle steaming, though. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 May 2025

Adjective

Storms are the most common cause of lightning, but lightning strikes have been observed in volcanic eruptions, surface nuclear detonations and during heavy snowstorms even. —Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 2 Aug. 2024

When values fail to align, problems surface, even in organizations committed to developing leaders through coaching. —Mitch Mitchell, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Verb

The political consequences may surface as soon as 2026. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025

Reports of a sophisticated new artificial intelligence platform started surfacing on cybersecurity blogs in April, describing a bespoke system whispered about on dark web hacker forums and created for the sole purpose of crime. —Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 7 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing surface

• control surface
• ruled surface
• scratch the surface
• surface-active
• surface area
• surface mail
• surface of revolution
• surface-ripened
• surface structure
• surface tension
• surface-to-air
• surface-to-air missile
• surface-to-surface missile
• surface wave

Rhymes for surface

• hypersurface
• undersurface
• resurface
• subsurface

Kids Definition

surface

1 of 2 noun

sur·​face ˈsər-fəs 

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 

: the exterior or upper boundary of an object or body

the mesial and distal surfaces of a tooth