surface Meaning & Definition
What Does Surface Mean?
As a noun, surface means The external boundary of an object or body. It is also used to mean The overside or upside of a flat object such as a table, or of a liquid. As a verb, it means To provide with a surface; to apply a surface to. As a verb, it means To provide something with a surface.
Surface at a Glance
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈsɜː.fɪs// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | superficial, open and rise |
| Antonyms | overhead and subsurface |
| Plural | surfaces |
| Verb forms | surfaces, surfacing, surfaced |
Surface Definition (Noun)
- The external boundary of an object or body.
- The overside or upside of a flat object such as a table, or of a liquid.
- The outside hull of a tangible object.
- Outward or external appearance.
On the surface, the spy looked like a typical businessman.
- The locus of an equation (especially one with exactly two degrees of freedom) in a space of more than two dimensions.
- The story or image suggested by a cryptic clue, when read as a whole sentence without considering wordplay.
- A portion of the display to which graphics can be rendered.
The video player algorithm requires a target surface.
Surface as a Verb
- To provide with a surface; to apply a surface to.
The crew surfaced the road with bitumen.
- To rise to the surface.
There was great relief when the missing diver finally surfaced.
- To bring to the surface.
- To come out of hiding.
- To become known or apparent; to appear or be found; to come to light.
- To make (information, facts, content, etc) known.
- To work a mine near the surface.
Noun
- The locus of an equation (especially one with exactly two degrees of freedom) in a more-than-two-dimensional space.
- (fortification) That part of the side which is terminated by the flank prolonged, and the angle of the nearest bastion.
Verb
- To provide something with a surface.
- To apply a surface to something.
- For information or facts to become known.
- To make information or facts known.
- To appear or be found.
Synonyms of Surface
Antonyms of Surface
Surface in a Sentence
On the surface, the spy looked like a typical businessman.
The video player algorithm requires a target surface.
The crew surfaced the road with bitumen.
There was great relief when the missing diver finally surfaced.
Word Forms & Grammar
surface (plural surfaces)
surface (third-person singular simple present surfaces, present participle surfacing, simple past and past participle surfaced)
Words That Rhyme With Surface
Origin of Surface
Borrowed from Middle French surface.[1] By surface analysis, sur- + face. Doublet of superficies.
How to Pronounce Surface
You say surface as //ˈsɜː.fɪs//. It has 1 syllable.
Surface: Your Questions Answered
Is surface a noun or a verb?
Surface is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for surface?
Words with a similar meaning to surface include superficial, open and rise. See the full list of surface synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of surface?
Words opposite in meaning to surface are overhead and subsurface.
What is the plural of surface?
The plural of surface is surfaces.
What is the past tense of surface?
The past tense of surface is surfaced. The present participle is surfacing.