# surfing

/ˈsɝfɪŋ/ (US) · /sˈɜːfɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/surfing
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. water sport

noun · CEFR A2

the sport of riding on waves while standing on a narrow board.

For teachers: the athletic activity or pastime of riding the crest of a breaking wave toward the shore, typically while standing on a surfboard.

- We spent the whole summer surfing at the beach near my house.
- Professional surfing requires not only physical strength but also an intimate understanding of ocean currents and swell patterns.

Usage: Often used with the verb 'go', as in 'to go surfing'.

### 2. browsing the internet

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

the activity of spending time looking at different websites on the internet.

For teachers: the act of navigating through various websites or social media feeds, often in a casual or exploratory manner.

- I spent a few hours surfing the web to find a good hotel.
- Late-night surfing of social media can disrupt sleep patterns due to the blue light emitted by smartphone screens.

Usage: Commonly appears in the phrase 'surfing the web' or 'surfing the internet'.

## Examples

- I spend my evenings surfing the web for new recipes.
- While surfing the internet for travel tips, she stumbled upon a blog about hidden gems in Italy.
- The rise of high-speed mobile data has transformed casual internet surfing from a stationary activity into a constant, ubiquitous habit for most modern consumers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.