First Known Use: circa 1600
Dictionary
1surface
noun sur·face \ˈsər-fəs\
: an outside part or layer of something
: the upper layer of an area of land or water
: the flat, top part of something (such as a table or desk) that you can work on
Full Definition of SURFACE
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 (as the boundary of a three-dimensional region) <plane surface> <surface of a sphere>
3
a : 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
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Origin of SURFACE
French, from Middle French, from sur- + face face, from Old French — more at face
2surface
adjective
: involving only the parts that are easy to see or notice
: involving the removal of the surface of a large area of land to get at coal or other material that is near to the surface
Full Definition of SURFACE
1
a : 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>
See surface defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SURFACE
1642
Related to SURFACE
- Synonyms
- skin-deep, superficial
3surface
verb
: to rise to the surface of water
: to appear or become obvious after being hidden or not seen
: to put a surface on (something, such as a road)
sur·facedsur·fac·ing
Full Definition of SURFACE
transitive verb
1
: to give a surface to: 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>
intransitive verb
1
: to work on or at the surface
2
: to come to the surface
See surface defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SURFACE
1778
Related to SURFACE
- Synonyms
- come up, crop (up), emerge, materialize, spring (up), arise
SURFACE Defined for Kids
1surface
noun sur·face \ˈsər-fəs\
Definition of SURFACE for Kids
1
: the outside or any one side of an object <She floated on the water's surface.>
2
: the outside appearance <On the surface the idea seems good.>
2surface
adjective
Definition of SURFACE for Kids
: not deep or real <a surface wound> <a surface friendship>
3surface
verb
sur·facedsur·fac·ing
Definition of SURFACE for Kids
1
: to come to the surface <The submarine surfaced.>
2
: to become obvious <Claudia's impatience surfaced. — E. L. Konigsburg, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler>
3
: to give a new top layer to : make smooth (as by sanding or paving)
Medical Dictionary
surface
noun sur·face \ˈsər-fəs\
Medical Definition of SURFACE
: the exterior or upper boundary of an object or body <the mesial and distal surfaces of a tooth>
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