surface meaning and definition

SURFACE noun

Definition of surface (noun)

1. 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"
2. 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"
3. 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"
   • synonyms: Earth's surface
4. a superficial aspect as opposed to the real nature of something
   • "it was not what it appeared to be on the surface"
5. information that has become public
   • "all the reports were out in the open"; "the facts had been brought to the surface"
   • synonyms: open
6. a device that provides reactive force when in motion relative to the surrounding air; can lift or control a plane in flight
   • synonyms: aerofoil, airfoil, control surface

SURFACE verb

Definition of surface (verb)

1. come to the surface
   • synonyms: come up, rise, rise up
2. put a coat on; cover the surface of; furnish with a surface
   • "coat the cake with chocolate"
   • synonyms: coat
3. appear or become visible; make a showing
   • "She turned up at the funeral"; "I hope the list key is going to surface again"
   • synonyms: come on, come out, show up, turn up

SURFACE adjective

Definition of surface (adjective)

1. on the surface
   • "surface materials of the moon"
   • antonym: subsurface