surface

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

• “there is a special cleaner for these surfaces”
• “the cloth had a pattern of red dots on a white surface”

the extended two-dimensional outer boundary of a three-dimensional object

• “they skimmed over the surface of the water”
• “a brush small enough to clean every dental surface”
• “the sun has no distinct surface”

the outermost level of the land or sea

• “earthquakes originate far below the surface”
• “three quarters of the Earth”

a superficial aspect as opposed to the real nature of something

• “it was not what it appeared to be on the surface”

information that has become public

• “all the reports were out in the open”
• “the facts had been brought to the surface”

a device that provides reactive force when in motion relative to the surrounding air; can lift or control a plane in flight

on the surface

• “surface materials of the moon”

involving a surface only

• “her beauty is only skin-deep”
• “superficial bruising”
• “a surface wound”

come to the surface

put a coat on; cover the surface of; furnish with a surface

• “coat the cake with chocolate”

appear or become visible; make a showing

• “She turned up at the funeral”
• “I hope the list key is going to surface again”