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
• froth
• head
• lather
• spume
• suds

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

Before that, skate and surf videos had a long history of featuring punk songs. —Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024

The system will also churn up seas in the Gulf and could produce rough surf and dangerous rip currents for much of the basin, especially later this week. —Mary Gilbert, CNN, 23 Sep. 2024

Verb

The pair were spotted enjoying a hike in Los Angeles in 2020 and surfing in Venice, Calif. in 2018. —Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2024

Caroline Marks of Team United States rides a wave during her heat during the semifinals of surfing on day nine of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at on August 05, 2024 in Teahupo'o, French Polynesia. —CBS News, 6 Aug. 2024

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

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