Surfing is the sport of riding ocean waves while standing on a special board. A surfer paddles out into the water, waits for the right wave, then rides it toward shore, balancing on the board as the wave's energy propels them forward. Expert surfers can make sharp turns, ride inside the curve of a breaking wave, and perform aerial tricks.

Surfing originated in ancient Polynesia, where it was both a sport and an important part of Hawaiian culture. In the 1950s and 60s, surfing spread from Hawaii to coastal areas worldwide, especially California and Australia, becoming a major influence on music, fashion, and beach culture.

The word also describes casual browsing, especially online. When you're surfing the web, you're moving from website to website without a specific goal, similar to how a surfer moves with whatever waves come along. You might also surf through TV channels with a remote, or channel surf when you can't find anything good to watch.

Couch surfing refers to staying temporarily at someone's home, sleeping on their couch instead of in a hotel, and moving from place to place like a surfer rides from wave to wave.