surf

[surf]

noun

1. the swell of the sea that breaks upon a shore or upon shoals.

2. the mass or line of foamy water caused by the breaking of the sea upon a shore, especially a shallow or sloping shore.

verb (used without object)

1. to ride a surfboard.

2. to float on the crest of a wave toward shore.

3. to swim, play, or bathe in the surf.

4. to search haphazardly, as for information on a computer network or an interesting program on television.

verb (used with object)

1. to ride a surfboard on.

   We surfed every big wave in sight.

2. to search through (a computer network or TV channels) for information or entertainment.

surf

/ sɜːf /

noun

1. waves breaking on the shore or on a reef

2. foam caused by the breaking of waves

verb

1. (intr) to take part in surfing

2. 1. computing (on the internet) to move freely from website to website (esp in the phrase surf the net )

   2. to move freely between (TV channels or radio stations)

3. 1. informal,  to be carried on top of something

      that guy's surfing the audience

   2. ( in combination )

      trainsurfing

surf

1. The waves of the sea as they break upon a shore or a reef.

Other Word Forms

• surfable adjective
• surfer noun
• surflike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of surf¹

First recorded in 1600–10; earlier suff; of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of surf¹

C17: probably variant of _sough ¹

Synonym Study

See wave.

Example Sentences

He'd gone for a surf with his friends one Saturday morning at Long Reef in Sydney's northern beaches.

Read more on BBC

Marine Corps put forth a plan to build 128 homes for officers and their families on a 32-acre bluff at San Mateo Point near Trestles Beach, one of the nation’s most famous surfing spots.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Rather than unique traditions or idyll, Bali today is better known for its beach clubs and surf houses.

Read more on BBC

A girl attending surf camp at Asilomar State Beach was bitten on the leg by a sea lion.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Tom Bradley International, for example, will draw inspiration from the 1966 surfing documentary “Endless Summer” with images of palm trees, Old Hollywood and signage reminiscent of the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• swell 
• wave