surf / sərf/ • n. the mass or line of foam formed by waves breaking on a seashore or reef: the roar of the surf. ∎  [in sing.] a spell of surfing: he went for an early surf.• v. [intr.] ride on the crest of a wave, typically toward the shore while riding on a surfboard: learning to surf. ∎  [tr.] ride (a wave) toward the shore in such a way: he has built a career out of surfing big waves. ∎ inf. 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. ∎ short for channel-surf. ∎  [tr.] move from site to site on (the Internet).DERIVATIVES: surf·er n.surf·y adj.

surf swell of the sea breaking on the shore XVII; mass of foamy water on a shore XVIII. In early use sometimes in phr. surf of the sea; continuing in sense and chronology †suff (of the sea) XVI–XVII, and perh. an alt. of the latter.

surf Breaking waves in the area between the shoreline and the outermost limit of breaking waves.

surf Breaking waves in the area between the shoreline and the outermost limit of breaking waves.