surface Definition

surface
noun

1a. The upper or outer side of anything, often with regard to texture or appearance;

Thesaurus: exterior, covering, face, façade, skin, veneer, superficies, top; Antonym: interior.
1b. The size or area of such a side.
2. The upper level of a body or container of liquid or of the land.
3. The external appearance of something, as opposed to its underlying reality.

Example: On the surface everything seems fine
4. math.
A geometric figure that is two-dimensional, having length and breadth but no depth.
5a. At, on or relating to a surface;

Example: surface mail
5b. Superficial.

Example: surface appearances
Thesaurus: superficial, apparent, external, outer, outward.

verb surfaced, surfacing

intr
1. To rise to the surface of a liquid.
intr
2. To become apparent; to come to light.

Example: The scandal first surfaced in the press
Thesaurus: rise, appear, emerge, materialize, transpire, come to light; Antonym: sink.
intr
3. colloq
To get out of bed.
Example: never surfaces till the afternoon
4. To give the desired finish or texture to the surface of something.

Derivative: surfaced
adj

Derivative: surfacer
noun

Derivative: surfacing
noun

Idiom: come to the surface

To rise to the top (of a liquid, body of water, etc).
Example: The seal came to the surface for air

To become known, especially after having been hidden.
Example: The press made sure the scandal came to the surface

Idiom: scratch the surface

To begin to have a superficial understanding of or effect on something.
Example: measures that only scratch the surface of the drugs problem

To begin to investigate.
Example: You only need to scratch the surface to discover the sleaze

Etymology: 17c: French, from sur on + face face.