Surface
/ˈsɜːrfɪs/
Definitions
4 meaningsThe outer or topmost boundary of an object or area.
/ˈsɜːrfɪs/
The outer layer of something.
The surface of the lake was calm.
💡 Simply: Imagine a table, and the surface is the flat part you put things on. Like, the surface of the water is the top of the water.
👶 For kids: The outside part of something.
More Examples
The painting had a rough surface.
The surface of the moon is covered in craters.
How It's Used
"The Earth's surface is constantly changing due to erosion and tectonic activity."
"The table's surface was smooth and polished."
The outward appearance of something, especially when this is superficial and conceals the real nature or character.
/ˈsɜːrfɪs/
The apparent or external appearance of something.
Beneath the surface of his cheerful exterior, he hid a lot of sadness.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, things look a certain way on the outside, but that's just the surface. Like, someone might seem happy, but they could be sad inside.
👶 For kids: How something looks on the outside.
More Examples
Her calm surface hid her nervousness.
The investigation revealed more than met the surface.
How It's Used
"Beneath the surface of his calm demeanor, he was struggling with anxiety."
"They maintained a friendly surface, but there was underlying tension."
To rise or come to the surface of a body of water or the ground.
/ˈsɜːrfɪs/
To come to the surface of water or ground.
The submarine surfaced after a long dive.
💡 Simply: If you're swimming and you go up to the top of the water, you 'surface'.
👶 For kids: To come up to the top of water or ground.
More Examples
The divers surfaced after exploring the coral reef.
The dolphin surfaced to take a breath.
How It's Used
"The whale surfaced to breathe."
"The mine shaft allows the workers to surface safely."
To cover something with a surface or coating.
/ˈsɜːrfɪs/
To make or apply a surface to something.
The contractors surfaced the road with a new layer of asphalt.
💡 Simply: To put a new top layer on something. Like, 'They surfaced the table with a new coat of paint'.
👶 For kids: To put a layer on the outside of something.
More Examples
They surfaced the walls with a new coat of paint.
The carpenter surfaced the wood to make it smooth.
How It's Used
"They surfaced the road with asphalt."
"The artist surfaced the canvas with a primer before painting."
Synonyms
Covering
Exterior
Outside
Appearance
Facade
Semblance
Appear
Ascend
Emerge
Rise
Coat
Cover
Overlay
Pave
Idioms & expressions
on the surface
apparently, but not necessarily in reality.
"On the surface, everything seemed fine."
scratch the surface
To deal with only a small part of a problem or subject; to not go into depth.
"We've only scratched the surface of the problem."
From Middle French *surface*, from Latin *superficies* ('upper part, top'), from *super* ('above') + *facies* ('face, form').
The word 'surface' has been used in English since the late 16th century, originally with the sense of the outer or visible part of a body or object.
Memory tip
Think of the skin of an apple; it's the surface.