surf

1 of 2

noun

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
After being acclimated to the new terrain, the dolphin was released and ushered past the surf line by local surfers. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025 If frolicking in the surf or deep-sea swimming isn’t quite your jam, don’t worry—there’s an infinity-edge pool, along with an oceanfront loggia, a summer kitchen, and several sun terraces meant to mimic the coastline. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
Julia Garner is surfing into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025 Photograph by Candy Clark Lunch arrived, and Clark surfed through the album, time-travelling. Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for surf

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of surf was in 1685

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Cite this Entry

“Surf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surf. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

surf

1 of 2 noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on surf

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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