surf

1 of 2

noun

ˈsərf 

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

Synonyms

Noun

• foam

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

Noun

Humberto is expected to pass west of the island as a large, powerful hurricane Monday into Tuesday, bringing bands of rain, gusty winds and dangerous surf. —Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025

Some have questioned the logic of building an artificial surf lagoon so close to the ocean. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025

Verb

At least 52 subway surfing rescues have been made this year, officials said. —Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025

Six people died train surfing in 2024, and five people died in 2023. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025

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

Phrases Containing surf

• crowd surf
• surf and turf
• surf casting
• surf clam

Rhymes for surf

• scurf
• serf
• turf

Kids Definition

surf

1 of 2 noun

ˈsərf 

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