Standard Lemma guide

resurface

verb · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ɹiːˈsɜːfɪs/
  • General-American: /ɹiːˈsɜɹfɪs/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: R IY0 S ER1 F AH0 S Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To come once again to the surface.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • His body finally resurfaced after three years underwater.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To surface again; to reappear or re-occur.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To make something reappear.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: rare, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To provide a new surface, to replace or remodel the surface of something, or to restore a surface. To put a new coating or finish on a surface.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • A zamboni is a big machine that resurfaces ice at a rink so it is smooth as glass for the skaters.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

appear again

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The missing man suddenly resurfaced in New York

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: reappear, re-emerge

6

verb

Meaning 6

cover with a new surface

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: coat, surface

7

verb

Meaning 7

reappear on the surface

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: surface, come up, rise up, rise

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Italic *wre- Latin re-der. Old French re-bor. Middle English re- English re- Middle French surfacebor. English surface English resurface From re- + surface.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: изплувам (izpluvam) — to come once again to the surface
  • Finnish: nousta pintaan — to come once again to the surface
  • French: remonter à la surface — to come once again to the surface
  • Polish: wypłynąć — to come once again to the surface
  • Finnish: päälystää uudelleen — to surface once again
  • Finnish: pinnoittaa uudelleen — to surface once again