surface

1 of 3

noun

sur·​face ˈsər-fəs 

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

surface

2 of 3

adjective

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

surface

3 of 3

verb

surfaced; surfacing

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

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

Phrases

on the surface

: to all outward appearances

Synonyms

Noun

• exterior
• face
• outside
• shell
• skin
• veneer

Adjective

• skin-deep
• superficial

Verb

• arise
• come up
• crop (up)
• emerge
• materialize
• spring (up)

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

Noun

From May 2023 to May 2024, an El Niño current prevailed in the tropical Pacific, helping to drive average sea surface temperatures to a record-high 20.87°C (69.56°F), or more than half a degree celsius warmer than the 1991 to 2020 average. —Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 10 Jan. 2025

Simple surface cleaning, like vacuuming, dusting, and mopping, can reduce exposure and limit risk. —Emily Mullin, WIRED, 10 Jan. 2025

Adjective

Storms are the most common cause of lightning, but lightning strikes have been observed in volcanic eruptions, surface nuclear detonations and during heavy snowstorms even. —Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 2 Aug. 2024

When values fail to align, problems surface, even in organizations committed to developing leaders through coaching. —Mitch Mitchell, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Verb

After giving birth to her daughter, River, the new mom grappled with postpartum depression and doubts about her decision began to surface. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 12 Jan. 2025

As Haun and Fox checked the wreck in the freezing river, the driver surfaced nearby, Haun said, according to the outlet. —Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 12 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Middle French, from sur- + face face, from Old French — more at face

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1642, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1778, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing surface

• control surface
• ruled surface
• scratch the surface
• surface-active
• surface area
• surface mail
• surface of revolution
• surface-ripened
• surface structure
• surface tension
• surface-to-air
• surface-to-air missile
• surface-to-surface missile
• surface wave

Kids 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