Surface

Pronunciation: /ˈsɜːrfəs/

Surface (noun)

  1. The outermost layer of something, like a table or the ground.
  2. The way something looks on the outside, not its true nature.
  3. The top part of a body of water, like a lake or ocean.

Examples

  • The surface of the table was smooth and shiny.
  • Dust covered the surface of the old bookshelf.

Common collocations: smooth surface, surface area, scratch the surface, surface appearance, beneath the surface

Surface (verb)

  1. To rise to the top or become visible.
  2. To appear or become known unexpectedly.

Examples

  • The diver surfaced after exploring the reef.
  • The submarine surfaced near the coast.

Synonyms of Surface

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Antonyms of Surface

  • — when discussing the inside of an object
  • — when referring to the innermost part