EnglishMain Dictionary
surface
Universal Words
noun, verb
noun
1 [C] the outside or top layer of sth:
an uneven road surface * We'll need a flat surface to play the game on. * Teeth have a hard surface layer called enamel. * a broad leaf with a large surface area
2 [C,usually sing.] the top layer of an area of water or land:
the earth's surface * These plants float on the surface of the water. * We could see fish swimming just below the surface.
3 [C] the flat upper part of a piece of furniture, that is used for working on:
a work surface * She's cleaned all the kitchen surfaces. * You'll need a large smooth surface for rolling out the pastry.
4 [sing.] the outer appearance of a person, thing or situation; the qualities that you see or notice, that are not hidden:
Rage bubbled just below the surface of his mind.
IDIOMS
on the surface when not thought about deeply or thoroughly; when not looked at carefully:
It seems like a good idea on the surface but there are sure to be problems. * On the surface, he appeared unchanged.
moreatSCRATCHv.
verb
1 [V] to come up to the surface of water:
The ducks dived and surfaced again several metres away.
2 [V] to suddenly appear or become obvious after having been hidden for a while:
Doubts began to surface. * She surfaced again years later in London. * No further information has surfaced yet.
3 [V] (informal) to wake up or get up after being asleep:
He finally surfaced around noon.
4 [VN] to put a surface on a road, path, etc.
