surf Meaning & Definition
What Does Surf Mean?
Surf is used as a noun meaning Waves that break on an ocean shoreline. It is also used to mean An instance or session of riding a surfboard in the surf. As a verb, it means To ride a wave on a surfboard; to pursue or take part in the sport of surfing. As a verb, it means To ride a wave, usually on a surfboard.
Word Facts for Surf
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /sɜːf/ |
| Synonyms | breaker, windsurf and channel-surf |
| Plural | surfs |
| Verb forms | surfs, surfing, surfed |
Surf Definition (Noun)
- Waves that break on an ocean shoreline.
- An instance or session of riding a surfboard in the surf.
We went for a surf this morning.
- A dance popular in the 1960s in which the movements of a surfboard rider are mimicked.
- (Can we verify this sense?) The bottom of a drain.
Surf as a Verb
- To ride a wave on a surfboard; to pursue or take part in the sport of surfing.
- To surf at a specified place.
- To bodysurf; to swim in the surf at a beach.
- To browse the Internet, television, etc.
Noun
- The bottom of a drain.
Verb
- To ride a wave, usually on a surfboard.
Synonyms of Surf
Surf synonyms and antonyms →Surf in a Sentence
We went for a surf this morning.
We went of a surf this morning.
Word Forms & Grammar
surf (countable and uncountable, plural surfs)
surf (third-person singular simple present surfs, present participle surfing, simple past and past participle surfed)
Words That Rhyme With Surf
Origin of Surf
Probably from earlier suff, suffe (“the inrush of the sea towards the shore”), possibly from Middle English suffe. Compare sough, surf (“a gutter, drain, sewer, trench”) and sough (“a soothing, gentle, murmuring sound of wind or water”). Alternatively, possibly of Indo-Aryan origin, as the word was formerly a reference to the coast of India, though this is doubtful as no positive etymon can be identified. The verb is from 1917. The verb referring to "browsing the Internet" was popularized by Jean Armour Polly.
Questions People Ask About Surf
Is surf a noun or a verb?
Surf is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for surf?
Close synonyms of surf are breaker, windsurf and channel-surf. See the full list of surf synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of surf?
The plural of surf is surfs.
What is the past tense of surf?
The past tense of surf is surfed. The present participle is surfing.