surface

noun sur·face \ ˈsər-fəs \

Updated on: 4 Dec 2017

Definition of surface

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

— on the surface

: to all outward appearances

See surface defined for English-language learners

See surface defined for kids

Examples of surface in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of surface from the Web

There’s a huge distance between the surface of the sun and the wilds of Minnesota, both literally and figuratively.

— laurel graeber, New York Times, "Events for Children in NYC This Week," 2 Nov. 2017
However, howling winds about 5,000 feet above the surface may be drawn down by any storms that form, causing pockets of strong-to-perhaps-damaging wind gusts in the neighborhood of 50 to 60 mph.

— jason samenow, Washington Post, "Storms possible overnight with downpours and pockets of strong winds," 23 Oct. 2017
Dawn will orbit around 120 miles above the dwarf planet, training its cameras and instruments at the surface.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Dawn Gets One Last, Close Look at Ceres," 20 Oct. 2017
One is to re-engineer the surface of PEC-Encap so it’s not walled off.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "ViaCyte tries again with potential diabetes cure," 18 Oct. 2017
Cats will definitely scratch on most surfaces and are sensitive to smell and texture.

— sara tardiff, ELLE Decor, "IKEA Has A New Pet Furniture Line That Vets *And* Design Lovers Will Approve Of," 11 Oct. 2017
Eye witnesses to the tragedy said that Kurm was attempting to swim from the shallow and perfectly safe Shady Beach to the Dudley diving pier and suddenly disappeared from the surface without warning.

— Post-Tribune, "Lake County Star almanac," 9 Oct. 2017
Face-value of junk debt trading at distressed prices rises Credit markets in late-cycle stage, get defensive: MS Says Beneath the tranquil surface of U.S. credit markets, bearish winds are blowing.

— sid verma, Bloomberg.com, "It’s Not Just Toys ‘R’ Us. More Credit Weak Spots Emerge," 20 Sep. 2017
All About that Base A bold (or everyday look) goes on better when the surface of your skin is super smooth and clear (i.e. breakout free).

— jennifer tzeses, Cosmopolitan, "How To Create The Most Wearable Unicorn Makeup Look RN," 11 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'surface.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of surface

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1600

See Words from the same year

surface Synonyms

Synonyms

face, outside, shell, skin, exterior, veneer

Antonyms

inside, interior

Related Words

facade (also façade), front, top; cover, covering, facing; appearance, disguise, guise, mask, semblance, show

surface

adjective

Definition of surface

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

See surface defined for English-language learners

Examples of surface in a Sentence

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

First Known Use of surface

1642

surface Synonyms

Synonyms

skin-deep, superficial

Related Words

depthless, shallow, shoal; two-dimensional; external

Near Antonyms

deep, deep-seated

surface

verb

Definition of surface

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

See surface defined for English-language learners

Examples of surface in a Sentence

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 of surface from the Web

Frank Cowart surfaced on March 13, police spokeswoman Pam Marcum said.

— bianca padró ocasio, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Winter Park police sergeant accused of stealing from dead person, authorities say," 3 Nov. 2017
The protracted negotiations took months — and eventually involved commissioner Bud Selig — but by the end, a resolution surfaced: The Cubs sent reliever Chris Carpenter (no, not that one) to the Red Sox.

— rustin dodd, kansascity, "If Braves want Dayton Moore, hiring would likely come with a price," 1 Nov. 2017
Those who observe school-county splits note that often taxes increase and problems surface during breakaway negotiations.

— william thornton, AL.com, "2 dead in Mobile after vehicle collides with brick wall," 22 Oct. 2017
Problems still surface, largely with improper isolation of minors or physical restraints by staff, VandenWallBake said.

— deborah yetter, The Courier-Journal, "Modern juvenile justice system in Kentucky is nothing like boys camps of the past," 19 Oct. 2017
This isn't the first time stories have surfaced about unsafe costume lenses causing injuries or infections around Halloween.

— sarah wu, Teen Vogue, "Halloween Costume Contact Lenses Turn Teen Partially Blind," 16 Oct. 2017
Statesman Staff Offer sizzles, fizzles One possible solution to Les Bois’ woes recently surfaced.

— cynthia sewell, idahostatesman, "Lawmakers were lobbied, Canadian made a lease offer, still Les Bois Park sits silent," 13 Oct. 2017
Comedic legend Jerry Lewis died at 91 in August, and now, new information has reportedly surfaced about his last wishes.

— megan friedman, Country Living, "Jerry Lewis Reportedly Cut Six of His Children Out of His Will," 22 Sep. 2017
Questions are surfacing over how antitrust authorities will treat the tie-up between United Technologies Corp. UTX 0.38% and Rockwell Collins Inc.

— doug cameron, WSJ, "Up Next for the United Tech-Rockwell Tie-Up: The Antitrust Ordeal," 14 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of surface

1778

surface Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

appear, come out, show up, turn up; chance, come, come about, fall out, go (on), go off, hap, happen, occur, pass, transpire; interfere, interpose, intervene, intrude

Near Antonyms

dive, drop, drown, founder, plunge, sink, submerge, submerse

SURFACE Defined for English Language Learners

surface

noun

Definition of surface for English Language Learners

: an outside part or layer of something
: the upper layer of an area of land or water
: the flat, top part of something (such as a table or desk) that you can work on

surface

adjective

Definition of surface for English Language Learners

: involving only the parts that are easy to see or notice
: involving the removal of the surface of a large area of land to get at coal or other material that is near to the surface

surface

verb

Definition of surface for English Language Learners

: to rise to the surface of water
: to appear or become obvious after being hidden or not seen
: to put a surface on (something, such as a road)

SURFACE Defined for Kids

surface

noun sur·face \ ˈsər-fəs \

Definition of surface for Students

1 : the outside or any one side of an object

She floated on the water's surface.

2 : the outside appearance

On the surface the idea seems good.

surface

adjective

Definition of surface for Students

: not deep or real

a surface wound

a surface friendship

surface

verb

Definition of surface for Students

surfaced; surfacing

1 : to come to the surface

The submarine surfaced.

2 : to become obvious

Claudia's impatience surfaced.
—E. L. Konigsburg, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

3 : to give a new top layer to : make smooth (as by sanding or paving)

Medical Dictionary

surface

noun sur·face \ ˈsər-fəs \

medical Definition of surface

: the exterior or upper boundary of an object or body

the mesial and distal surfaces of a tooth

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surface

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surface

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surfacer

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SURFACE Defined for English Language Learners

surface

Definition of surface for English Language Learners

surface

Definition of surface for English Language Learners

surface

Definition of surface for English Language Learners

SURFACE Defined for Kids

surface

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surface

Definition of surface for Students

surface

Definition of surface for Students

Medical Dictionary

surface

medical Definition of surface

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