surface

/'sə:fis/
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surface

A child skips a flat stone across the calm surface of a pond.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • The outermost or topmost layer of something: The "surface" is the exterior boundary or the part that is in direct contact with the environment. It can be of a physical object, a body of water, or land.
    • A superficial or outward aspect: The "surface" can refer to the apparent, often misleading, quality of something, as opposed to its deeper, true nature.
    • A continuous two-dimensional extent: In mathematics and geometry, a "surface" is a two-dimensional shape that forms the boundary of a three-dimensional object.

  2. Adjective:

    • Relating to or located on the surface: Used to describe something that exists on, affects, or is characteristic of the outer layer.

  3. Verb:

    • To rise to the top of a liquid; to emerge: To come up to or appear on the surface of something, especially water.
    • To become apparent or known: For information, feelings, or problems to emerge into public view or consciousness.
    • To apply an outer layer to something: To cover the exterior of an object with a material.
Usage Examples

  • Noun:

    • The table's surface was smooth and polished. (The top layer of the table was smooth.)
    • Beneath his calm surface, he was very anxious. (Under his outward appearance of calm, he was anxious.)
    • Most of the Earth's surface is covered by water. (The exterior layer of the planet is mostly water.)

  • Adjective:

    • The surface temperature of the lake was warm. (The temperature at the lake's top layer was warm.)
    • It was only a surface wound, not deep. (The injury affected only the outer layer of skin.)

  • Verb:

    • The submarine will surface at dawn. (The submarine will rise to the top of the water.)
    • New evidence has surfaced in the investigation. (New evidence has emerged or become known.)
    • They decided to surface the road with asphalt. (They decided to cover the road with an asphalt layer.)
Advanced Usage
  • "To scratch/scrape the surface": To deal with or understand only a small, superficial part of a larger issue or subject.
    • Our research has only scratched the surface of this complex problem.
  • "On the surface": Superficially; based on a first, often deceptive, impression.
    • On the surface, the plan seems perfect, but it has many hidden flaws.
Variants and Related Words
  • Surfacing (n/gerund): The material used to form a surface, or the process of coming to the surface.
    • The surfacing of the tennis court is new.
  • Resurface (v): To put a new surface on something, or to appear again.
    • They will resurface the parking lot next week. The old rumors have resurfaced.
Synonyms
  • Noun: Exterior, face, facade, outside, top.
  • Verb: Emerge, appear, materialize, coat, cover.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Surface with: To cover something with a particular material.
    • The counter was surfaced with granite.
Related Idioms
  • Below/beneath the surface: Hidden from immediate view; referring to deeper, less obvious feelings or truths.
    • Her anger was simmering just below the surface.
  • Come to the surface: To become publicly known or visible.
    • Many old tensions came to the surface during the debate.
surface

A child skips a flat stone across the calm surface of a pond.

Noun
  1. a device that provides reactive force when in motion relative to the surrounding air; can lift or control a plane in flight
  2. information that has become public
    • all the reports were out in the open
    • the facts had been brought to the surface
  3. a superficial aspect as opposed to the real nature of something
    • it was not what it appeared to be on the surface
  4. the outermost level of the land or sea
    • earthquakes originate far below the surface
    • three quarters of the Earth's surface is covered by water
  5. the extended two-dimensional outer boundary of a three-dimensional object
    • they skimmed over the surface of the water
    • a brush small enough to clean every dental surface
    • the sun has no distinct surface
  6. the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
    • there is a special cleaner for these surfaces
    • the cloth had a pattern of red dots on a white surface
Adjective
  1. on the surface
    • surface materials of the moon
Verb
  1. appear or become visible; make a showing
    • She turned up at the funeral
    • I hope the list key is going to surface again
  2. put a coat on; cover the surface of; furnish with a surface
    • coat the cake with chocolate
  3. come to the surface

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