surf

[ surf ]
/ sɜrf /

noun

the swell of the sea that breaks upon a shore or upon shoals.
the mass or line of foamy water caused by the breaking of the sea upon a shore, especially a shallow or sloping shore.

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

to ride a surfboard on: We surfed every big wave in sight.
to search through (a computer network or TV channels) for information or entertainment.

Origin of surf

First recorded in 1675–85; earlier suff; of uncertain origin

SYNONYMS FOR surf

1 See wave.

OTHER WORDS FROM surf

surf·a·ble, adjective surf·er, noun surf·like, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH surf

serf surf

Example sentences from the Web for surf

British Dictionary definitions for surf

surf
/ (sɜːf) /

noun

waves breaking on the shore or on a reef
foam caused by the breaking of waves

verb

(intr) to take part in surfing
  1. computing (on the internet) to move freely from website to website (esp in the phrase surf the net)
  2. to move freely between (TV channels or radio stations)
  1. informal to be carried on top of somethingthat guy's surfing the audience
  2. (in combination)trainsurfing

Derived forms of surf

surfable, adjective surflike, adjective

Word Origin for surf

C17: probably variant of sough 1

Scientific definitions for surf

surf
[ sûrf ]

The waves of the sea as they break upon a shore or a reef.