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
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
surfaced; surfacing
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
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
Synonyms
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
WIRED, 26 Nov. 2023
The key ingredient to this formula is hyaluronic acid, which is known for its ability to hydrate and bind water to the surface layer of the skin for a plumper, smoother appearance.
—Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 26 Nov. 2023
Most sweeping are three large seascapes that suggest the hard surfaces below the fluid, cold-hued water.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023
Its elegant design adds style and sophistication, while the surface provides the perfect space to display your favorite decorative items.
—Poppy Morgan, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2023
Clean frequently touched surfaces, including doorknobs and mobile devices.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023
And sea surface temperatures will drop to as low as 61 degrees in spots, making a wetsuit a necessity after several warm days in a row.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Nov. 2023
The sleek glass surface wipes clean easily, while the inside of the oven has a self-cleaning feature to make clean-up a breeze.
—Laura Denby, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2023
Photos of the spill show large chunky globules and long slicks of oil floating on the Gulf's surface.
—Li Cohen, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2023
Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2023
In it were tablets containing concentrated hand soap as well as multi-surface, glass and bathroom cleaners — and four empty containers.
—Susan Shain, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2023
The sub was fitted with six 533-millimeter torpedo tubes and carried a mix of both anti-surface and anti-submarine weapons.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 23 Dec. 2022
The multi-surface cleaner works with Dyson's signature de-tangling Motorbar cleaner head, a brush bar that safely captures hair and moves it along with no clogged mess.
—Lauren Fischer, Peoplemag, 9 Nov. 2022
Clorox’s multi-surface mist does it all.
—Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 16 Aug. 2022
Plus, its dual multi-surface rubber brushes flex to adjust to different floor types and avoid getting tangled with pet hair.
—Stephanie Mlot, PCMAG, 16 Mar. 2023
Besides the citrusy aroma, there’s a lot to love about the eco-friendly subscription service, including the reusable spray bottles—and the fact that just a small spritz of multi-surface, all-purpose cleaner is enough to banish grease from your cooktop.
—Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 16 Feb. 2023
Pine-Sol scented multi-surface cleaners (lavender clean, sparkling wave and lemon fresh scents), CloroxPro Pine-Sol all purpose cleaners (lavender clean, sparkling wave, lemon fresh, and orange energy scents) and Clorox Professional Pine-Sol lemon fresh cleaner.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 26 Oct. 2022
Alex Portée, NBC News, 28 Nov. 2023
Did any unsolved frictional moments or inclusion hiccups occur that could surface during performance review time?
—Simone E. Morris, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
At the same time, troubling information continues to surface about the state’s failure to address safety hazards posed by the storage of pallets and sanitizer under the freeway.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2023
When a video surfaced of an after-school scuffle, 11 Black children were arrested.
—ProPublica, 22 Nov. 2023
The Gormiti first surfaced in 2005 as a collection of colorful and highly detailed toys manufactured by Italy’s Giochi Preziosi, which is now co-financing the 20-episode (10 per season) English-language show with Rainbow and will lead licensing on the series.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 22 Nov. 2023
Issues that affect the reality of homeownership and elicit emotional responses, will also continue to surface.
—Miles S. Nadal, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2023
When the call that something interesting has surfaced comes, the dealers are ready to jump on a plane at a moment’s notice.
—Jill Newman, Robb Report, 18 Nov. 2023
The news of Alexio’s deteriorating health surfaced on Sunday (Nov. 12) when fellow Puerto Rican stars reached out for support via social media, appealing for blood, platelet and plasma donors.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 15 Nov. 2023
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Noun
For stars like our sun, p-modes dominate their observable oscillations; their g-modes, which are affected by internal magnetic fields, are too weak to detect and can’t reach the star’s surface.
—WIRED, 26 Nov. 2023
The key ingredient to this formula is hyaluronic acid, which is known for its ability to hydrate and bind water to the surface layer of the skin for a plumper, smoother appearance.
—Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 26 Nov. 2023
Most sweeping are three large seascapes that suggest the hard surfaces below the fluid, cold-hued water.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023
Its elegant design adds style and sophistication, while the surface provides the perfect space to display your favorite decorative items.
—Poppy Morgan, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2023
Clean frequently touched surfaces, including doorknobs and mobile devices.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023
And sea surface temperatures will drop to as low as 61 degrees in spots, making a wetsuit a necessity after several warm days in a row.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Nov. 2023
The sleek glass surface wipes clean easily, while the inside of the oven has a self-cleaning feature to make clean-up a breeze.
—Laura Denby, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2023
Photos of the spill show large chunky globules and long slicks of oil floating on the Gulf's surface.
—Li Cohen, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2023
Adjective
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
In it were tablets containing concentrated hand soap as well as multi-surface, glass and bathroom cleaners — and four empty containers.
—Susan Shain, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2023
The sub was fitted with six 533-millimeter torpedo tubes and carried a mix of both anti-surface and anti-submarine weapons.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 23 Dec. 2022
The multi-surface cleaner works with Dyson's signature de-tangling Motorbar cleaner head, a brush bar that safely captures hair and moves it along with no clogged mess.
—Lauren Fischer, Peoplemag, 9 Nov. 2022
Clorox’s multi-surface mist does it all.
—Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 16 Aug. 2022
Plus, its dual multi-surface rubber brushes flex to adjust to different floor types and avoid getting tangled with pet hair.
—Stephanie Mlot, PCMAG, 16 Mar. 2023
Besides the citrusy aroma, there’s a lot to love about the eco-friendly subscription service, including the reusable spray bottles—and the fact that just a small spritz of multi-surface, all-purpose cleaner is enough to banish grease from your cooktop.
—Tiffany Hopkins, Bon Appétit, 16 Feb. 2023
Pine-Sol scented multi-surface cleaners (lavender clean, sparkling wave and lemon fresh scents), CloroxPro Pine-Sol all purpose cleaners (lavender clean, sparkling wave, lemon fresh, and orange energy scents) and Clorox Professional Pine-Sol lemon fresh cleaner.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 26 Oct. 2022
Verb
Soon after photos from the event began to surface, users on social media began to accuse the singer of lightening her skin.
—Alex Portée, NBC News, 28 Nov. 2023
Did any unsolved frictional moments or inclusion hiccups occur that could surface during performance review time?
—Simone E. Morris, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023
At the same time, troubling information continues to surface about the state’s failure to address safety hazards posed by the storage of pallets and sanitizer under the freeway.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2023
When a video surfaced of an after-school scuffle, 11 Black children were arrested.
—ProPublica, 22 Nov. 2023
The Gormiti first surfaced in 2005 as a collection of colorful and highly detailed toys manufactured by Italy’s Giochi Preziosi, which is now co-financing the 20-episode (10 per season) English-language show with Rainbow and will lead licensing on the series.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 22 Nov. 2023
Issues that affect the reality of homeownership and elicit emotional responses, will also continue to surface.
—Miles S. Nadal, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2023
When the call that something interesting has surfaced comes, the dealers are ready to jump on a plane at a moment’s notice.
—Jill Newman, Robb Report, 18 Nov. 2023
The news of Alexio’s deteriorating health surfaced on Sunday (Nov. 12) when fellow Puerto Rican stars reached out for support via social media, appealing for blood, platelet and plasma donors.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 15 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'surface.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
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
Articles Related to surface
Dictionary Entries Near surface
Cite this Entry
“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surface. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on surface
Nglish: Translation of surface for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of surface for Arabic Speakers
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