surfing

American  

[sur-fing] / ˈsɜr fɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or sport of riding the surf, as on a surfboard.

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surfing British  

/ ˈsɜːfɪŋ /

noun

1. the sport of riding towards shore on the crest of a wave by standing or lying on a surfboard

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Other Word Forms

• surfer noun

Etymology

Origin of surfing

First recorded in 1915–20; surf + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

These “res proxy” companies rent out access to internet connections on the devices to customers who want to look like they’re surfing the internet from a genuine home address.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

A woman who defrauded more than £23,000 in benefits claiming she was too ill to go outside has avoided jail after she was caught surfing and ziplining in Mexico.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

All three hang out at the beach, either playing volleyball or surfing.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

You can paddleboard for €12 an hour in Audierne or take an-hour-and-a-half surfing lesson for €45.

From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026

One day we worked on verb tenses: “I surf the Net, I surfed the Net, I was surfing the Net.”

From "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson