English Reference
verb · adjective

surfaced

v. · adj.
US /ˈsɝfɪst/ UK /sˈɜːfɪst/ sur·faced

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    v.to come up to the top of the water from underneath.

    v.to rise to the surface of a body of water or other liquid. Intransitive in this sense.

    Simple

    The whale surfaced for air before diving back into the deep ocean.

    In context

    After nearly two minutes underwater, the diver finally surfaced, gasping for air and signaling to the boat that he was safe.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to become public or known after being hidden for a long time.

    v.to become apparent or public after a period of concealment or dormancy.

    Simple

    New evidence surfaced during the trial that changed everything.

    In context

    Allegations of financial misconduct surfaced only after the internal audit was leaked to the press by an anonymous whistleblower.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical Technical

    v.to put a top layer on a road, path, or floor.

    v.to provide something with a surface; to apply a top layer of material to a road or structure. Transitive — takes a direct object.

    Simple

    The workers surfaced the new driveway with smooth black asphalt.

    In context

    The highway was surfaced with a specialized porous concrete designed to reduce noise and improve drainage during heavy rainstorms.

  4. 04 C1 Advanced Technical

    adj.having a particular kind of top layer or finish.

    adj.having a surface of a specified type; almost exclusively used in hyphenated compounds.

    Simple

    The park has several hard-surfaced paths for people using wheelchairs.

    In context

    The architect specified a rough-surfaced stone to ensure the courtyard remained slip-resistant even when wet.

    Usage

    Usually appears in compound adjectives like 'hard-surfaced' or 'smooth-surfaced'.

The bodies have surfaced in their hundreds and continue to be pulled from the thick, tar-like mud that engulfed everything after the flood waters receded.

The Guardian· 30 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated