1
: the swell of the sea that breaks upon the shore
2
: the foam, splash, and sound of breaking waves
surfed; surfing; surfs
1
: to ride the surf (as on a surfboard)
2
: to scan a wide range of offerings for something of interest
: 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
Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 19 July 2025
Stay here and enjoy the ample things to do in this Southern California city, like taking a surf lesson and watching a film at the historic Aero Theatre.
—Jessie Beck, AFAR Media, 17 July 2025
Bailey Richards, People.com, 19 July 2025
These vehicles can also shuttle guests to surfing, hiking and mountain biking.
—Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for surf
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Noun
The rescuer swims through surf to pick up the victim out in the ocean, with two lifeguards on the beach pulling the duo to shore.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 19 July 2025
Stay here and enjoy the ample things to do in this Southern California city, like taking a surf lesson and watching a film at the historic Aero Theatre.
—Jessie Beck, AFAR Media, 17 July 2025
Verb
Less than two weeks before the July 18 attack, a man identified as Matthew Bender was bitten by a shark while surfing in the Florida city, per FOX 35.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 19 July 2025
These vehicles can also shuttle guests to surfing, hiking and mountain biking.
—Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for surf
Cite this Entry
“Surf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surf. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
surf
1 of 2 noun1
: waves that break upon the shore
2
: the foam, splash, and sound of breaking waves
surf
2 of 2 verb1
: to ride the surf (as on a surfboard)
2
: to scan the offerings of (as television or the Internet) for something of interest
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