surf

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈsərf 

1

: the swell of the sea that breaks upon the shore

2

: the foam, splash, and sound of breaking waves

surf

2 of 3

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

surfer

3 of 3

noun (2)

surf·​er

ˈsərfər

plural -s

1

dialectal : surf scoter

2

: one who rides a surfboard

3

: one who scans a wide range of offerings (as on television or the Internet) for something of interest

she was also a constant surfer of all things online

—Garry Wills

Synonyms of surf

Noun (1)

• foam

Examples of surf in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

In fact, there are plenty of incredible stretches of sand and surf to explore across the United States, including in Hawaii, Florida, and beyond. — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2026

The restaurant’s unlikely moniker references McGee’s pet deer Bambi, who locals often spotted splashing around in the surf alongside McGee. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 July 2026

Verb

Old copper landlines are going the way of so many other aging pieces of technology as smartphones have become the way many people surf the web, pay bills, watch movies and keep up with friends and family. — Jenny Jarvie follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

When the 2008 crash took our home, my family lived out of my mother’s car, couch-surfed, and slept in storage units. — Elijah Manley, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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