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 of surf

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

Rip currents are the deadliest danger in surf zones and are the reason for the majority of deaths among beach swimmers each year. —Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025

There’s no shortage of beach towns in Southern California, but not many have just the right balance of surf culture and local energy quite like Huntington Beach. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 15 Nov. 2025

Verb

Patagonia encourages surfing at lunch. —Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2025

With its stomach-flipping rides, funnel cakes, classic Pit Bull tunes, surfing Santa display and giant light-up tree, the Christmas theme park was a true Miami tradition. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 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