surface
noun
sur·face
| \ ˈsər-fəs
\
\
Definition of surface
(Entry 1 of 3)
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
3a
: 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
surface
adjectiveDefinition of surface (Entry 2 of 3)
1a
: 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
surface
verb
surfaced;
surfacing
Definition of surface (Entry 3 of 3)
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
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
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Synonyms & Antonyms for surface
Synonyms: Noun
exterior, face, outside, shell, skin, veneer
Synonyms: Adjective
Synonyms: Verb
arise, come up, crop (up), emerge, materialize, spring (up)
Antonyms: Noun
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Examples of surface in a Sentence
Noun
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.Adjective
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 detergentVerb
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 on the Web: Noun
Elegant and regal above the surface; unseemly and ungainly below. — Jon Wertheim, SI.com, "10 Big Questions Ahead of the 2019 U.S. Open," 24 Aug. 2019 Then use a stiff-bristle nylon brush to scrub the stains from the surface. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How To Get Leaf Stains Off Your Wood Deck," 24 Aug. 2019 From Pluto's surface, the sun merely looks like a bright star. — Lauren Kent, CNN, "Why Pluto is no longer a planet (or is it?)," 24 Aug. 2019 One thing is certain: 13 Reasons Why’s secrets are just starting to surface. — Kaitlin Reilly, refinery29.com, "R29 Binge Club: 13 Reasons Why Season 3 Recap," 24 Aug. 2019 But beneath the surface lay substantive political and personal differences between the Kochs and Mr. Trump. — Robert D. Mcfadden, New York Times, "David Koch, Billionaire Who Fueled Right-Wing Movement, Dies at 79," 23 Aug. 2019 That’s a lot trickier than the readily visible surfaces of the Moon or Mercury. — Paul K. Byrne, The Conversation, "Why we need to get back to Venus," 23 Aug. 2019 Like most things American, the sweet surface note of our desserts conceals a far subtler technical ingenuity. — Megan Mcardle, National Review, "American Desserts," 22 Aug. 2019 The menu will again highlight rotisserie meats, sauces and the restaurant’s trademark umami fries, while the aesthetics, with ample wood surfaces, will remain rustic. — Justin Phillips, SFChronicle.com, "Here’s a first look at Rich Table’s RT Rotisserie opening Friday in Nopa," 22 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The pictures come just days after reports surfaced that Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige were unable to agree on terms that would allow Spider-Man to continue appearing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. — Ale Russian, PEOPLE.com, "Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Holland Reunite on Hike amid Reports Spider-Man Is Leaving Marvel," 23 Aug. 2019 But the news comes as reports have surfaced that the operators of the Cameron LNG project face a fine from federal regulators because of two separate leaks from pipes at the $10 billion plant. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Sempra’s brand new Cameron LNG facility in Louisiana faces a $41,600 fine," 22 Aug. 2019 Political turmoil has enveloped Trudeau since reports surfaced in February of Wilson-Raybould’s accusations, and his Liberal Party sank in the polls earlier this year because of the controversy. — Ian Austen, BostonGlobe.com, "Trudeau Violated Ethics Law in SNC-Lavalin Case, Watchdog Finds," 14 Aug. 2019 Less than an hour before the first news reports surfaced that Jeffrey Epstein had been found unresponsive in his jail cell, a post about his death mysteriously appeared on a far-right message board. — NBC News, "4chan user posted about Jeffrey Epstein's death before it was public," 13 Aug. 2019 Zach Smith was fired on July 23, 2018, after reports surfaced that an order of protection had been filed against him by his ex-wife Courtney. — Jenna West, SI.com, "Ohio State Releases Urban Meyer and Zach Smith-Related Texts, Emails," 2 Aug. 2019 There are serious concern about whether this surgery is safe at all after reports surfaced that the death rate following a BLL is a terrifying 1 in 3,000. — Audrey Noble, Harper's BAZAAR, "What Is A Brazilian Butt Lift?," 28 July 2019 Fourteen months after reports surfaced that Jake Gyllenhaal would be joining Spider-Man: Far From Home, the 38-year-old actor is finally opening up about the true nature of one Quentin Beck (aka Mysterio). — Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Spider-Man: Far From Home' Star Jake Gyllenhaal Pulls Back the Curtain on Mysterio," 23 July 2019 According to People, the news came as a shock, since reports had surfaced just one month prior that Jessica had begun dating NBC Today producer David Friedman. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "Jerry Seinfeld's Wife Jessica Addresses the Controversial Way They Met," 19 July 2019These 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.
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