surface
Come up finally
Surface is the outermost boundary of something—where an object meets the space around it: the surface of the water, a smooth surface.
Extended uses concern what's apparent rather than hidden: On the surface, everything seemed fine.
To surface is to rise from below: a submarine surfaces, and so does information that was buried.
As an adjective, surface describes what's shallow or exterior rather than deep: surface wounds, surface meaning.
Boundary or sharpness
- borderOuter edge or limit
- perimeterShape's outer edge length
- thresholdPoint of beginning
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
membrane · skin · shell · crust · outer layer · epidermis · hull · rind
Surface tactile quality
- finishBring to completion
- glossShine or annotation
- matteNon-reflective surface finish
- shineEmit or reflect light
polish · luster · sheen · smoothness · roughness · patina · veneer · coating
Height above reference point
- contourBounding line of shape
- terrainLand's physical features
- landscapeVisible features of terrain
- topographyPhysical feature mapping
plateau · plain · slope · depression · undulation · flatland · mesa · tableland
Come out into view
- ariseCome into being
- appearBecome perceptible to sight
- revealMake something visible
- uncoverReveal what's hidden
expose · come up · materialize · manifest · bubble up · bring to light · discovery
Void space density
- textureSurface tactile quality
- hardnessResistance to penetration
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- compositeMade of distinct parts
polymer · ceramic · metallic · laminate · alloy · fiberglass · permeable · nonporous
Determining size or amount
- squareRhombus with right angles
- geometryScience of spatial relationships
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
- coverageExtent of inclusion
extent · size · proportion · scale · acreage · hectares · square footage · integration
Accumulation on a surface
- tensionStretched or strained state
- adhesionState of clinging fast
- wettingAdding moisture to
- capillarityLiquid rise in tubes
meniscus · hydrophobic · hydrophilic · wicking · cohesion · emulsion · catalysis
edge
Boundary or sharpness
barrier · membrane · skin · shell · crust · outer layer · epidermis · hull · rind · cortex
texture
Surface tactile quality
shine · polish · luster · sheen · smoothness · roughness · patina · veneer · coating · glaze
elevation
Height above reference point
topography · plateau · plain · slope · depression · undulation · flatland · mesa · tableland · ground
emerge
Come out into view
uncover · expose · come up · materialize · manifest · bubble up · bring to light · discovery
porosity
Void space density
- textureSurface tactile quality
- hardnessResistance to penetration
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
composite · polymer · ceramic · metallic · laminate · alloy · fiberglass · permeable · nonporous · absorbent
measurement
Determining size or amount
- squareRhombus with right angles
- geometryScience of spatial relationships
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
coverage · extent · size · proportion · scale · acreage · hectares · square footage · integration · calculus
adsorption
Accumulation on a surface
capillarity · meniscus · hydrophobic · hydrophilic · wicking · cohesion · emulsion · catalysis
deck
Ship's flat surface
dock · pier · helipad · launchpad · carrier · landing · runway · tarmac · worktop · countertop
surfaceunderlying
Existing beneath the surface
deep-seated · hidden · subterranean · buried · underground
- on the surfaceIn apparent aspect only
- scratch the surfaceExamine only superficially
- beneath the surfaceBelow what's apparent
- below the surfaceNot immediately apparent
- flat surfaceLevel, even area
- surface areaMeasure of outer boundary
surfaces, resurface, surfaced, surfacing, surface area, resurfaced, resurfacing, subsurface, resurfaces