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

These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. —Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025

The original store is more focused on products influenced by skate, surf and music. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025

Verb

The Surfside beauty’s seen working out on a mat, surfing a wave, riding a bike with no hands and sparring with her man, Joaquim Valente, a jiu-jitsu instructor in North Miami. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025

In 2014, Miller and Visit Huntington Beach launched a community-wide collaboration for the town’s 100 years of surfing history at the iconic Huntington Beach Pier, where surfing pioneer George Freeth first introduced the sport to the area in 1914. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 22 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