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to surface

to surface

15 4.3
To cover something with a new outer layer
  • verb
  • /ˈsɜrfɪs/
translation icon : recubrir
  • To create a smoother finish, we decided to surface the table with a fine layer of varnish.
  • surface the road
  • surface the wall
  • hard-surfaced

Now the earth is surfaced by about a dozen shells.

Examples

Synonyms

to paint
vsto surface
854 1.0

To put coloured liquid on a surface to protect or change how it looks

is the general action not restricted to colored liquids or pigments
to coat
vsto surface
105 2.8

To cover something with a thin layer of a substance

is a general application not tied to one particular substance
to face
vsto surface
  • Specialized
84 7.0

To cover the edge or surface of something with another material

is general layer application rather than just lining or edging
to wax
vsto surface
62 3.8

Cover something with wax to protect and make it shine

is the general application not restricted to polishing or soft finishes
to plaster
vsto surface
30 3.8

To cover a surface thickly or stick things all over it

is any layer application not specifically referring to heavy thick coatings
to wash
vsto surface
  • Specialized
25 6.8

To cover something with a thin layer of paint or metal

does not imply the layer must be especially thin or light
to tile
vsto surface
17 3.0

To cover a surface with flat hard pieces of material

is a general layer application rather than using many rigid pieces
to encrust
vsto surface
12 6.7

To cover something thickly with small shiny objects like jewels

is regular layer application rather than ornate thick decoration
to laminate
vsto surface
11 4.3

To cover something with a thin plastic layer to protect it

is not limited to thin protective layers or strengthening use
to overlay
vsto surface
11 4.2

To cover something with a layer of material

is broader in use and not limited to a second material
to carpet
vsto surface
9 4.7

To cover a surface with a thick layer like flowers or snow

is a general application not implying use of heavy textile coverings
to varnish
vsto surface
5 4.2

To put a clear hard shiny layer on wood to protect it and make it shine

is broader covering not limited to glossy protective finishes
to enamel
vsto surface
3 6.5

To cover a surface with a hard shiny layer for protection or decoration

is broader application not specific to hard glossy finishing materials
to shellac
vsto surface
  • Specialized
1 7.8

Cover something with a shiny protective finish made from a natural hard substance

is general layering not tied to this resinous finishing material
to gloss
vsto surface
1 4.0

To make a surface smooth and shiny by rubbing or polishing

is a general layer application rather than only adding shine
to glass
vsto surface
1 8.1

To give a smooth shiny surface by adding a glossy coat

is general covering rather than specifically making things smooth and shiny
to undercoat
vsto surface
  • Specialized
4.4

To apply a first layer of paint to a surface before the final coat

is the general application rather than just a preparatory layer
to overcoat
vsto surface
6.4

To cover something with an extra layer, often paint or varnish

is the standard application not specifically an additional layer
to onlay
vsto surface
8.8

To attach a thin decorative piece to the surface of something

is about applying a continuous layer rather than fixing separate decorative pieces
to patinize
vsto surface
  • Specialized
9.9

Coat a metal surface so it develops a thin aged or colored layer

is general covering action rather than chemically changing appearance over time

Antonyms

42 2.7

Remove all covering or contents from an object so it is left bare

Idioms

To look below the surface to find the real reasons

A feeling that is hidden but easy to notice

Phrasal Verbs

to surface mine
  • Specialized
1 6.0

To remove earth and rock from the ground to get coal or other minerals

To make the outside of something look, feel, or work differently

Point out the most important problem in a discussion

To remove the top layer of ground to get minerals like coal

Compounds

surface-to-air
  • Specialized
26 6.6

A weapon launched from the ground to hit targets in the air

19 6.3

A weapon launched from the ground or a ship to destroy aircraft in the sky

The outer layer of the Earth that includes land and oceans where life lives

surface area
  • Specialized
15 3.9

The total outside area of a solid object or a specific area inside a border

surface tension
  • Specialized
5 4.3

A force that makes a liquid surface pull together like a skin

4 2.7

A flat surface like a table or countertop where you do work

surface ship
  • Specialized
2 4.9

A military ship that moves and fights on the water's surface, not underwater

2 3.0

The top layer of a road that vehicles drive on

control surface
  • Specialized
1 6.6

A movable part on a plane that the pilot moves to steer or keep it steady

The top side of an object that you can touch or see

A wall or other area that stands straight up from the ground

air-to-surface
  • Specialized
1 7.2

A weapon or missile a plane uses to hit targets on the ground

1 6.7

A weapon that a plane fires to hit a target on the ground

An area of closely cut grass around a golf hole where players hit the ball toward the hole

A flat area covered with hard material like concrete or stones

surface noise
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A soft background sound made when a record player's needle rubs a vinyl record

1 7.9

A set of weapons and equipment that shoots rockets at planes

7.4

A pull at the surface between two liquids that do not mix, like oil and water

A U.S. Navy center that develops and tests weapons and systems for ships

quadric surface
  • Specialized
9.9

A surface in three-dimensional space made by an equation with squared terms in x, y, and z

ruled surface
  • Specialized
9.9

A shape formed when a straight line moves through space

surface fire
  • Specialized
5.5

A forest fire that burns leaves and small plants, not large trees

surface gauge
  • Specialized
9.4

An instrument with a pointed tool on an adjustable stand used to mark and check flat surfaces like metal plates

surface assimilation
  • Specialized
7.9

Small amounts of gas or liquid stick to a solid surface and form a thin layer

surface chemistry
  • Specialized
5.8

The part of science that studies how substances act where two materials meet, like liquid and air

surface condenser
  • Specialized
6.8

A machine in power plants that cools steam from a turbine and turns it into water

surface lift
  • Specialized
5.1

A machine that pulls skiers up a slope while they stay on the ground

surface soil
  • Specialized
3.4

The top layer of ground that has the most plant food

surface-active agent
  • Specialized
6.9

A chemical in soaps and detergents that helps water mix with oil

Letters and packages sent by land or sea instead of by air

surface search radar
  • Specialized
7.0

Equipment on a ship that finds and follows other ships

surface-assimilative
  • Specialized
9.9

Causes liquids or tiny bits to stick to a surface

A smooth, non-stick coating that keeps food from sticking

How Covered

to overlay
11 4.2
to surface
15 4.3
to cover
1.0

Surface Forms

surface infinitive
surfaced past
surfaced past participle
surfacing present participle
surfaces third person singular

Etymology

Surface comes from the Latin parts super- ('above') and face ('face'), and you can think of it as 'giving a new face' to something; for example, putting a new layer on a road or cake. That's why to surface something is to cover it with a layer.