surf

 
Pronunciation: /səːf/

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] the mass or line of foam formed by waves breaking on a seashore or reef: the roar of the surf
  • 2 [in singular] a spell of surfing: he went for an early surf

verb

  • 1 [no object] stand or lie on a surfboard and ride on the crest of a wave towards the shore: he’s learning to surf
  • [with object] ride (a wave) on a surfboard: he has built a career out of surfing big waves
  • informal ride on the roof or outside of a fast-moving vehicle, typically a train, for excitement: he fell to his death while surfing on a 70 mph train
  • 2 [with object] move from site to site on (the Internet): the device allows you to surf the Net and send emails
  • another term for channel-surf.

Derivatives

surfer

noun

surfy

adjective

Origin:

late 17th century: apparently from obsolete suff, of unknown origin, perhaps influenced by the spelling of surge