surf

[ surf ]

/ sɜrf /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR surf ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

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)

to ride a surfboard.

to float on the crest of a wave toward shore.

to swim, play, or bathe in the surf.

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

verb (used with object)

to ride a surfboard on: We surfed every big wave in sight.

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

Nearby words

Origin of surf

First recorded in 1675–85; earlier suff; of uncertain origin

SYNONYMS FOR surf

1. See wave.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR surf ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formssurf·a·ble, adjectivesurf·er, nounsurf·like, adjective

Can be confusedserf surf

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for surf

“I saw the moment when they looked down and saw this old couple having sex in the surf,” says Carlucci.
Anatomy of a Drone Porn: ‘Drone Boning’ Makes Sex Look Like Art|Aurora Snow|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Perhaps thanks to the surf and turf and the stellar Bordeaux and Sauvignon Blanc, there were no lost tempers.
Up To A Point: My Problem With People Who Agree With Me|P. J. O’Rourke|July 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even "Surf Wax America," a seemingly innocuous homage to The Beach Boys' early hits, morphed into a meditation on drowning.
Remembering Weezer’s ‘The Blue Album,’ A Garage Rock Classic, on Its 20th Anniversary|Andrew Romano|May 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I should say that I surf in Barbados, just to see what happens in Season 5.
‘The Walking Dead’ Star Andrew Lincoln on the Terminus Cannibals Theory & Season Finale|Melissa Leon|March 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

They describe their genre as “SURF SEX SLUDGE AND GARBAGE,” and grew up rocking out to Elvis.
Craziest SXSW Band Names: Perfect Pussy, Death By Unga Bunga, and More|Marlow Stern|March 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Now,” cried Tahuna, as a great breaker retired; and the four Maoris rushed forward, and plunged into the surf.
The Tale of Timber Town|Alfred Grace
Marion, leaning beside him, looked back at the fading line of surf below the Cliff House.
Stanford Stories|Charles K. Field
It was a calm night with no sea on, and lying there, listening, Cogan could just catch the low swish of the surf.
Wide Courses|James Brendan Connolly
I love hard sands and the wind and the lines upon lines of surf!
December Love|Robert Hichens
Both being powerful swimmers, they threw themselves into the sea and the boat managed to pick them up before the surf caught them.
The Boy With the U. S. Life-Savers|Francis Rolt-Wheeler

British Dictionary definitions for surf

surf

/ (sɜːf) /

noun

waves breaking on the shore or on a reef

foam caused by the breaking of waves

verb

(intr) to take part in surfing

computing(on the internet) to move freely from website to website (esp in the phrase surf the net)
to move freely between (TV channels or radio stations)

informalto be carried on top of somethingthat guy's surfing the audience
(in combination)trainsurfing

Derived Formssurfable, adjectivesurflike, adjective

Word Origin for surf

C17: probably variant of sough 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for surf

surf

1680s, probably from earlier suffe (1590s), of uncertain origin. Originally used in reference to the coast of India, hence perhaps of Indic origin. Or perhaps a phonetic respelling of sough, which meant "a rushing sound."