surf

1 of 2

noun

1
: the swell of the sea that breaks upon the shore
2
: the foam, splash, and sound of breaking waves

surf

2 of 2

verb

surfed; surfing; surfs

intransitive verb

1
: to ride the surf (as on a surfboard)
2
: to scan a wide range of offerings for something of interest

transitive verb

: to scan the offerings of (such as television or the Internet) for something of interest
surfer noun

Examples of surf in a Sentence

Noun We could hear the roar of the surf. beachgoers romping in the swirling surf Verb He learned to surf when he was living in California.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Malibu Surfrider Beach Immortalized by the 1959 surf flick Gidget, Surfrider Beach is nothing short of legendary. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025 In the sweet photo, Moore (wearing a Left on Friday two-piece swimsuit) could be seen sitting in the surf alongside her husband while her son Ozzie hung on around her neck. Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
Other activities include surfing excursions, where serious wave riders can visit multiple breaks, or a Robinson Crusoe Experience, during which guests head out on a boat to catch their lunch, which is then barbecued and served with prosecco on a nearby deserted beach. Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025 Trump’s staff – surfing a wave of hubris from the past weekend – risk being a little at sea with Ukraine. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for surf

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1685, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1917, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of surf was in 1685

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Surf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surf. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

surf

1 of 2 noun
1
: waves that break upon the shore
2
: the foam, splash, and sound of breaking waves

surf

2 of 2 verb
1
: to ride the surf (as on a surfboard)
2
: to scan the offerings of (as television or the Internet) for something of interest

More from Merriam-Webster on surf

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!