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to surf

to surf

43 2.7
To look around online or through TV channels
  • verb
  • /sɜrf/
  • Texting
translation icon : navegar por Internet
  • I surf the Net.
  • surf the Internet
  • surf the Web
  • surf the Net

We would sit there and watch people surf the web, like watch them.

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Examples

  • They spend their best hours surfing the Internet, looking at blogs.

  • So I'm just going to stay in my cozy home and surf the web instead.

  • We would sit there and watch people surf the web, like watch them.

  • Making you watch me surf my phone in real time.

  • So, you know, feel free to surf and enjoy.

  • How many different ways can one surf the internet and listen to online music?

    Blog text (5)
  • Now, we surf with the best of them, so gathering information is easy.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Jamie, who turns twelve next week, knows how to surf the Net.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • I often surf the web to find interesting articles and videos.

  • She took some time to surf through various channels on TV looking for a good movie.

Synonyms

to browse
vsto surf
95 2.8

To look through shops or websites without planning to buy

is more about casual viewing of information and media rather than items
to scroll through
vsto surf
  • Texting
15 2.8

To move information on a screen up or down to look at it

is about casual sampling across sources rather than specific screen motion
to page
vsto surf
6 2.7

To look through a book or magazine quickly

is used more for casual checking across digital or broadcast media rather than printed sheets
to channel-surf
vsto surf
  • Informal
5 5.6

To switch quickly between TV channels without watching any show for long

is broader covering casual looking across media not only fast station changes
to skim
vsto surf
1 2.7

Read something quickly without looking at details

is casual looking around many sources rather than quick close reading
to browse the internet
vsto surf
  • Texting
1 2.3

To look through web pages on the internet for information or fun

is used for casual looking across online and television outlets
to scroll through social media
vsto surf
  • Texting
3.3

To look at posts on social media by moving your finger on a screen

is broader applying to many information sources beyond app posts

Phrasal Verbs

to channel-surf
  • Informal
5 5.6

To switch quickly between TV channels without watching any show for long

1 6.3

To ride a wave using only your body while lying on the water

Compounds

2 3.7

A style of pop music with echoing guitars and songs about the beach and waves

surf fishing
  • Specialized
1 5.0

Fishing from the beach by throwing bait or lures into the sea where waves break

surf casting
  • Specialized
5.8

A way of fishing from the shore by throwing bait or a lure into the sea beyond the waves

6.7

A small to medium fish that lives in shallow water near Pacific coast beaches in North America

How Thorough

to search
1.0
to surf
  • Texting
43 2.7
to skim
1 2.7
to glance
299 1.5

Surface Forms

surf infinitive
surfed past
surfed past participle
surfing present participle
surfs third person singular

Etymology

Surf used for looking around or browsing is a modern picture from wave riding: people compared moving quickly through TV channels or web pages to 'riding' waves. So to surf the internet or channels means to move easily and casually from one thing to another.