surface

noun sur·face \ ˈsər-fəs \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

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

3 a : 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

See surface defined for English-language learners

See surface defined for kids

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.

Recent Examples of surface from the Web

Only four years ago, this area was a wasteland of surface lots.

— inga saffron, Philly.com, "These two new Philadelphia apartment buildings are civilizing the Vine Street Expressway," 4 Apr. 2018
On the surface, the difference between last season’s start and this year is obvious.

— jordan culver, Pro Soccer USA, "Orlando City coach Jason Kreis: Lions off to better start in 2018 than 2017," 4 Apr. 2018
Here’s what the first-half and second-half speeds look like, as a percentage of overall race speed: On the surface, this looks like a pretty good endorsement of the even-split school of pacing.

— alex hutchinson, Outside Online, "What's the Best Way to Pace a Marathon?," 4 Apr. 2018
On the surface, the deal bears a strong resemblance to Comcast's 2011 acquisition of NBC Universal in a deal valued at about $30 billion.

— klint finley, WIRED, "The Comcast-NBC Merger Offers Little Guidance for AT&T-Time Warner," 3 Apr. 2018
On the surface, golf is a ridiculous value proposition.

— michael williams, GQ, "Four Glorious Golf Courses to Play Before You Die," 2 Apr. 2018
In addition to the hotel and apartments, the development would feature 108,000-square-feet of office space, 19,000-square-feet of restaurant and shopping space and 1,350 parking spaces in two garages and a retail surface lot.

— randy tucker, Cincinnati.com, "New hotel, luxury apartments planned for $90M development near Kenwood Towne Centre," 30 Mar. 2018
Pro Football Focus, which has the best collection of detailed stats in the business, released a revealing series of top-5 lists a few days back that, at least on the surface, support Miami’s moves.

— adam h. beasley, miamiherald, "Statistics suggest that these two free agency additions can replace Landry’s production | Miami Herald," 30 Mar. 2018
Swiiiiiirl, Baby, Swirl A metal or wooden skewer is the best tool to swirl all the way through, since this swirl is inside the cake rather than only on the surface.

— alyse whitney, Bon Appetit, "How to Make Marble Cake With a Dramaaaatic Swirl," 29 Mar. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of surface

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1600

See Words from the same year

surface Synonyms

surface

adjective

Definition of surface

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

See surface defined for English-language learners

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

First Known Use of surface

1642

surface Synonyms

Synonyms

skin-deep, superficial;

Near Antonyms

deep, deep-seated;

Related Words

depthless, shallow, shoal;

two-dimensional;

external;

surface

verb

Definition of surface

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

See surface defined for English-language learners

Examples 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.

Recent Examples of surface from the Web

Expanding from city to city Dockless bikes surfaced in Arizona in November, when LimeBike first launched its service in Scottsdale.

— lily altavena, azcentral, "As bike-share programs expand in the East Valley, some two-wheelers wind up off-road," 7 Apr. 2018
This week, a Bloomberg report surfaced that said Apple is planning major changes for its iPhone.

— don reisinger, Fortune, "Apple Could Be Working on a Curved iPhone, Is Ramping Up Siri Hiring," 7 Apr. 2018
Unexpected problems will surface — knob and tube wiring! Asbestos!

— ronda kaysen, New York Times, "Who Doesn’t Love to Hate-Watch HGTV?," 6 Apr. 2018
The first rumble of discontent surfaced before the first pitch had been thrown, when Odubel Herrera expressed his displeasure at being left out of the Opening Day lineup.

— david murphy, Philly.com, "Do the Phillies really have enough at-bats to go around Gabe Kapler's lineup? | David Murphy," 6 Apr. 2018
The allegations surfaced shortly after the governor delivered his annual State of the State address.

— jason hancock, kansascity, "Missouri braces for bombshell as report on Greitens scandals is set for release | The Kansas City Star," 6 Apr. 2018
On March 27, an undated video surfaced online that appeared to show Onfroy punching a girl in the head.

— dan rys, Billboard, "As XXXTentacion Tries To Rehabilitate His Image, His Troubling Past Keeps Setting Him Back," 30 Mar. 2018
The issue surfaced in 2007 when a fire Otter said could have been stopped at about 5,000 acres consumed 700,000 acres of habitat for bull trout, pygmy rabbits and slickspot peppergrass.

— elaine williams, idahostatesman, "These days, Butch Otter would be happy as a ‘sharecropper’ on federal land | Idaho Statesman," 29 Mar. 2018
Some of these objects have already entered the international art market, but most objects may not surface for decades, according to these officials and experts.

— georgi kantchev, WSJ, "Suspected Traders of Ancient Art Linked to Islamic State Are Detained," 29 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of surface

1778

surface Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

appear, come out, show up, turn up;

chance, come, come about, fall out, go (on), go off, hap, happen, occur, pass, transpire;

interfere, interpose, intervene, intrude;

SURFACE Defined for English Language Learners

surface

noun

Definition of surface for English Language Learners

: an outside part or layer of something
: the upper layer of an area of land or water
: the flat, top part of something (such as a table or desk) that you can work on

surface

adjective

Definition of surface for English Language Learners

: involving only the parts that are easy to see or notice
: 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

verb

Definition of surface for English Language Learners

: to rise to the surface of water
: to appear or become obvious after being hidden or not seen
: to put a surface on (something, such as a road)

SURFACE Defined for Kids

surface

noun sur·face \ ˈsər-fəs \

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.

surface

adjective

Definition of surface for Students

: not deep or real

a surface wound

a surface friendship

surface

verb

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

noun sur·face \ ˈsər-fəs \

medical Definition of surface

: the exterior or upper boundary of an object or body

the mesial and distal surfaces of a tooth

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surface

Definition of surface

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surface Synonyms

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surface

Definition of surface

surfacer

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SURFACE Defined for English Language Learners

surface

Definition of surface for English Language Learners

surface

Definition of surface for English Language Learners

surface

Definition of surface for English Language Learners

SURFACE Defined for Kids

surface

Definition of surface for Students

surface

Definition of surface for Students

surface

Definition of surface for Students

Medical Dictionary

surface

medical Definition of surface

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