surface /ˈsɜː.fɪs/noun 7verb 7forms 3phrases 4 noun7 •the outside part of an object, which you can see and touch •The overside or upside of a flat object such as a table, or of a liquid.Use the lowest light level required. Be mindful of surface conditions, as some surfaces may reflect more light into the night sky than was intended. — 2020 •The outside hull of a tangible object.[The researchers] noticed many of their pieces of [plastic marine] debris sported surface pits around two microns across. — 2013 •(figurative) Outward or external appearance.On the surface, the spy looked like a typical businessman. •A portion of the display to which graphics can be rendered.The video player algorithm requires a target surface. •The locus of an equation (especially one with exactly two degrees of freedom) in a space of more than two dimensions. •The story or image suggested by a cryptic clue, when read as a whole sentence without considering wordplay.The surface is clearly about people like you and me, those whose better days are behind us and who now shop at M&S. — 2010 verb7 •To rise to the surface.There was great relief when the missing diver finally surfaced. •To bring to the surface.Sage went immediately to work; Damien surfaced the submarine and readied the group to meet outside the hatch. — 2007 •To become known or apparent; to appear or be found; to come to light.Subordinate clauses, by contrast, exhibit V1 or V2 only around 35% of the time, with the verb usually surfacing later. — 2013 •To make (information, facts, content, etc) known.They're not growing. Why would I surface them to new people? [...That] makes our video surface less, and that makes the next video surface less. — 2024 •(figurative) To come out of hiding.The company believes the stolen chocolate bars could surface through unofficial sales channels across European markets. — 2026 •To provide with a surface; to apply a surface to.The crew surfaced the road with bitumen. •To work a mine near the surface. formssurfaced · surfacing · surfaces Phrases with surface beneath the surfaceBeyond what is obvious. scratch beneath the surfaceTo look or see beyond what is obvious. scratch the surfaceTo barely begin; to see or do only a fraction of what is possible. under the surfaceInwardly; inside; deep down.