- surface
- I UK [ˈsɜː(r)fɪs] / US [ˈsɜrfəs]
noun
Word forms "surface":
singular surface plural surfaces
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1)a) [countable] the top layer or outside part of somethingWipe the surface with a damp cloth.
a smooth/rough/hard surface
Road surfaces are slippery from the icy rain.
b) the top layer of water or landthe surface of Mars
We saw fish swimming just under the surface of the water.
A farmer was spreading fertilizer over the surface of the soil.
2)a) [countable] a flat area of a desk, table etc that you use for working onPapers and books covered the surface of the desk.
All surfaces in the kitchen should be carefully cleaned.
b) a flat area used for playing sports, or the material used for making this areaMany tennis players dislike the grass surface at Wimbledon.
His favourite surface is clay.
3)a) [singular] the way that someone or something looks or seems while their true feeling or character remains hiddenon the surface:Underneath his cool surface was a growing sense of insecurity.
beneath the surface:On the surface, they looked like a happily married couple.
Hostility lies beneath the surface of calm in the region.
b) the aspect of someone's inner feeling that they show in their behaviour or appearanceHe could feel his frustration and rage rising to the surface.
4) [countable] maths one of the sides of an objectA cube has six surfaces.
II UK [ˈsɜː(r)fɪs] / US [ˈsɜrfəs] verb
Word forms "surface":
present tense I/you/we/they surface he/she/it surfaces present participle surfacing past tense surfaced past participle surfaced1)a) [intransitive] to become known or obvious after being hiddenIn the aftermath of the trial, charges of corruption have begun to surface.
New information about the murder is slowly surfacing.
b) to appear after being lost or hiddenAfter being missing for two months, the girl surfaced in Northumberland.
2) [intransitive] to rise up to, or to appear at, the surface of waterThe divers were forced to surface after their equipment was damaged.
3) [intransitive] British humorous to get out of bed, especially after sleeping for a long timeDon't expect Jennifer to surface before noon.
4) [transitive] to put a surface on a road, especially to make it smoother
III UK [ˈsɜː(r)fɪs] / US [ˈsɜrfəs] adjective [only before noun]1) affecting, existing on, or used on a surfaceThe boating accident caused only surface damage.
a rough surface texture
the surface temperature of the lake
2) a surface quality seems to exist in someone or something, but in fact it hides deeper or more real feelings or conditionsA surface calm settled over the troubled city.
3) travelling on the surface of land or water, rather than through the airsurface transport/mail
English dictionary. 2014.