English Meaning & Definitions
The outside part or uppermost layer of something.
- “Oil floats on the surface of the water.”
- “The table has a smooth, polished wooden surface.”
To rise to the top of the ground or water; to become apparent or known after being hidden.
- “The whale surfaced only a few yards from our boat.”
- “New evidence has finally surfaced after twenty years.”
Relating to or occurring on the outside or top of something; superficial.
- “They only made a surface repair to the damaged engine.”
- “We need to look beyond surface appearances.”
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “surface”.
Derived from the Latin 'superficies', from 'super-' (above, over) + 'facies' (face, form). In French, it was modified by popular etymology to associate it with 'surf' (related to sea or river waves, though etymologically distinct), resulting in Middle English adoption.
Think of a submarine coming from under the water to the 'face' of the water: the surface.
Frequently Asked Questions About “surface”
1. What is the meaning of “surface” in English?
In English, surface (noun) is defined as: “The outside part or uppermost layer of something.”.
2. How do you use “surface” in a sentence?
“Oil floats on the surface of the water.”
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “surface”?
Derived from the Latin 'superficies', from 'super-' (above, over) + 'facies' (face, form). In French, it was modified by popular etymology to associate it with 'surf' (related to sea or river waves, though etymologically distinct), resulting in Middle English adoption.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
View all English words →The base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.
A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.
A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.