Meaning & use
a surfboard
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A long, narrow board used for riding on waves in the sport of surfing.
Grammar: Countable; plural is 'surfboards'. Use 'a' or 'the' before it: 'a surfboard', 'the surfboard'.
Patterns
- ride a surfboard
- on a surfboard
- a surfboard for beginners
He carried a bright yellow surfboard under his arm.
She learned to stand on a surfboard after just a few lessons.
A good surfboard can be expensive, but it lasts for years.
nouncountabletechnical
A board used in other board sports, such as wakeboarding or kiteboarding.
Grammar: Often used with a modifier: 'a wake surfboard', 'a kite surfboard'.
Patterns
- a wake surfboard
- a kite surfboard
He bought a special wake surfboard for the lake.
Kite surfboards are designed to handle strong winds.
Word forms
| plural | surfboards |
|---|
Common combinations
- ride a surfboard
- It takes balance to ride a surfboard.
- a surfboard leash
- Always use a surfboard leash so you don't lose your board.
- a surfboard fin
- The surfboard fin helps you steer.
- a surfboard rental
- We got a surfboard rental for the afternoon.
Synonyms and how they differ
- board
- A general word for many types of boards; 'surfboard' is more specific.
Word family
- surfboarding noun
- The activity of riding a surfboard: 'Surfboarding is popular in Hawaii.'
- surfer noun
- A person who surfs: 'She's a professional surfer.'
Commonly confused: a surfboard or snowboard?
a surfboard vs snowboard
A snowboard is used on snow, not on water. Surfboards are for waves.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
Surfboards are used on waves in the ocean. The other options describe places where a surfboard cannot be used.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a surfboard”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.