surface
The top or outside part of something you can see or touch.
The outside or top layer of an object or area, which can be seen or touched.
To go up from under water or from being hidden and be seen at the top.
To rise or come up to the top of a liquid or from a hidden position.
To be found out or noticed after being unknown or secret.
To become known, noticed, or apparent after being hidden or secret.
In math or science, the outside shape or line that marks where an object ends.
In geometry or physics, a continuous two-dimensional boundary that forms the limit of a solid object or divides regions.
- Base: surface
- Plural: surfaces
- Base: surface
- 3rd Person Singular: surfaces
- Present Participle: surfacing
- Past: surfaced
break the surface
1emerge above liquid layer
To come up through water so that part can be seen above it.
- The whale broke the surface near our boat.
- A swimmer broke the surface for air.
come to the surface
1rise into view from below
To move up and be seen after being under water or hidden.
- Bubbles came to the surface as the fish swam up.
- Old tensions came to the surface during the meeting.
on the surface
1considering only what is visible
Looking only at what can be seen, not at deeper facts or feelings.
- On the surface, he seemed confident, but he was nervous inside.
- The plan looks good on the surface, but it has problems.
scratch the surface
1deal with only a small part
To deal with only a very small or simple part of something, not the whole problem or idea.
- We have only scratched the surface of this mystery.
- These figures only scratch the surface of the problem.
- This report just scratches the surface of what happened.
- We’ve just scratched the surface of what this technology can do.
- The article scratches the surface but doesn’t explain the causes in detail.