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
• surflike adjective
• surfer noun

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

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.

From Los Angeles Times

At the time of his death, he was homeless and sofa surfing.

From BBC

For decades, surf camps and schools have been a mainstay of local beaches across Santa Monica Bay, but concerns over pollutants from the Palisades fire are hurting business.

From Los Angeles Times

The new complex will offer inland surfers a steady stream of machine-powered waves in a 5.5 acre surf pool embedded in the sprawling Desert Willow Golf Resort.

From Los Angeles Times

In a statement, the police said emergency services pulled the man out of the morning surf onto the shore at Long Reef Beach - but he "died at the scene".

From BBC

Related Words

• swell 
• wave