1
: the exterior or upper boundary of an object or body
on the surface of the water
the earth's surface
2
: a plane or curved two-dimensional locus of points (such as the boundary of a three-dimensional region)
plane surface
surface of a sphere
3
a
: the external or superficial aspect of something
trouble lurks below the surface
b
: an external part or layer
sanded the rough surfaces
1
a
: of, located on, or designed for use at the surface of something
b
: situated, transported, or employed on the surface of the earth
surface mail
surface vehicles
2
: appearing to be such on the surface only : superficial
surface friendships
surfaced; surfacing
1
: to give a surface to: such as
a
: to plane or make smooth
b
: to apply the surface layer to
surface a highway
2
: to bring to the surface
surface a sunken ship
1
: to work on or at the surface
2
: to come to the surface
3
: to come into public view : show up
letters that have recently surfaced
surfacer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of surface in a Sentence
Noun
The painting's surface is covered with fine cracks.
The bowl has a shiny surface.
The surface of wood was rough.
Be careful of icy surfaces on the roads.
Adjective
Despite the surface differences between the two candidates, they are very similar in most ways.
a surface stain on the wood that can easily be removed with a mild detergent
Verb
The whale surfaced and then dove back down.
The information surfaced many years later.
After several years, the actress surfaced in a comedy.
The road needs to be surfaced again.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
However for the women's Euro to be staged in July, a temporary grass pitch will be overlaid on top of the artificial surface in Bern and Thun in June.
—Asif Burhan, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Mitch Mitchell, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Yet the show somehow manages to add depth to its seemingly surface sartorial choices.
—Time, 11 Aug. 2023
Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 29 Nov. 2024
Lyrics eventually appear onscreen, as tracks surface from the hazy darkness of their process — not only as subtitles but in the original Spanish as if the filmmakers had devised the film as a sing-along.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for surface 
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Noun
The fires burn various fuels, from live and dead vegetation to peatlands and scrub, producing different fire behaviors such as surface or crown fires, which vary in intensity, spread, and impact.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
However for the women's Euro to be staged in July, a temporary grass pitch will be overlaid on top of the artificial surface in Bern and Thun in June.
—Asif Burhan, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
When values fail to align, problems surface, even in organizations committed to developing leaders through coaching.
—Mitch Mitchell, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Yet the show somehow manages to add depth to its seemingly surface sartorial choices.
—Time, 11 Aug. 2023
Verb
Read More: Instead of Hunting in Groups, Orcas May be Attacking Great White Sharks Alone
Capturing the Killer Whale Hunt
Killer whales surface to breath before taking whale shark down and delivering a rapid, final blow.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 29 Nov. 2024
Lyrics eventually appear onscreen, as tracks surface from the hazy darkness of their process — not only as subtitles but in the original Spanish as if the filmmakers had devised the film as a sing-along.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for surface
Articles Related to surface
Dictionary Entries Near surface
Cite this Entry
“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surface. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
surface
1 of 2 noun
sur·face
ˈsər-fəs 
1
: the outside of an object or body
on the surface of the water
the earth's surface
2
: any flat or curved two-dimensional area in space
the surface of a cube
3
: the outside appearance
on the surface the plan seems good
surface
adjective
surface
2 of 2 verb
surfaced; surfacing
1
a
: to make smooth
b
: to apply the surface layer to
surface a road
2
: to bring or come to the surface
3
: to come into public view
letters that recently surfaced
Medical Definition
surface
noun
sur·face
ˈsər-fəs
: the exterior or upper boundary of an object or body
the mesial and distal surfaces of a tooth
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