surf

1 of 2

noun

ˈsərf 

1

: the swell of the sea that breaks upon the shore

2

: the foam, splash, and sound of breaking waves

surf

2 of 2

verb

surfed; surfing; surfs

intransitive verb

1

: to ride the surf (as on a surfboard)

2

: to scan a wide range of offerings for something of interest

transitive verb

: to scan the offerings of (such as television or the Internet) for something of interest

surfer noun

Synonyms of surf

Noun

• foam

Examples of surf in a Sentence

Noun

We could hear the roar of the surf.

beachgoers romping in the swirling surf

Verb

He learned to surf when he was living in California.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Playa Linda offers surf and horseback riding. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026

Anglers can enjoy surf fishing right from the beach or fish from one of the rock jetties, narrow structures that stretch from the shore into the ocean. —Abby Price, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026

Verb

Marshall Project staff writer Maurice Chammah was inspired after surfing eBay one day in 2014 and finding a listing for a record featuring music recorded by men incarcerated in Texas back in the '70s. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Apr. 2026

But in 2015, after a decade of R&D, Kelly Slater—surfing’s GOAT and 11-time world champion—debuted his dream wave machine here. —Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 26 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1685, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1917, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing surf

• crowd-surf
• surf and turf
• surf casting
• surf clam

Rhymes for surf

• scurf
• serf
• turf

Kids Definition

surf

1 of 2 noun

ˈsərf 

1

: waves that break upon the shore

2

: the foam, splash, and sound of breaking waves

surf

2 of 2 verb

1

: to ride the surf (as on a surfboard)

2

: to scan the offerings of (as television or the Internet) for something of interest