windsurf

IPA/ˈwɪndsɜːf/
IPA/ˈwɪndsɜːrf/

windsurf — verb

  • windsurfpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • windsurfshe / she / it
  • windsurfedpast simple
  • windsurfing-ing form

1. to take part in a water sport in which you stand on a flat board that has a sail

1.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to take part in a water sport in which you stand on a flat board that has a sail attached to it and use the force of the wind to move across the surface of the water

Example

Saira windsurfs every weekend at the beach near her house.

windsurf + frequency phrase (every weekend)

Last summer, Élise learned how to windsurf on the calm waters of Lake Garda.

learn how to + windsurf

Common collocations
  • go windsurfing
  • learn (how) to windsurf
  • windsurf on [a lake / the sea / the ocean]
  • windsurf in [strong wind / calm conditions]
  • windsurf across [the bay / the channel]
Synonyms
  • sailboard

    less common verb form, used mainly in specialist sports writing

Grammar Patterns

go + windsurfing

learn (how) to + windsurf

windsurf + prepositional phrase (on / in / at)

Usage Note

The -ing form (windsurfing) is very common and appears in patterns such as 'go windsurfing' (to do the activity for enjoyment) and 'Windsurfing is…' (referring to the sport in general). The base form is intransitive and never takes a direct object — you windsurf *on* or *in* a body of water, not *it*.

Common Mistakes

He windsurfs the bay every morning.
He windsurfs on the bay every morning.
'windsurf' is intransitive; it cannot take a direct object.
She went to windsurf in the sea.
She went windsurfing in the sea.
Sports and recreational activities follow the 'go + -ing' pattern.

Word family

  • windsurfer
    nounB1
  • windsurfing
    nounB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

These three verbs describe ways of moving across water but differ in equipment and technique. 'Surf' means riding ocean waves on a board without any sail or engine — it depends entirely on wave energy. 'Sail' refers to operating a boat or small vessel that uses fabric sails to catch the wind; you are in or on the vessel, not standing on a single board. 'Kitesurf' (also called kiteboarding) is the closest cousin to windsurf — you stand on a small board but are pulled by a large kite rather than a mast-fixed sail. If you want to describe someone riding a board with a sail on a lake or sea, choose 'windsurf'. For ocean waves without a sail, use 'surf'. For a boat trip powered by wind, use 'sail'. For the newer sport using a kite, use 'kitesurf'.

surf ↗sail ↗kitesurf

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • go windsurfing
  • learn to windsurf
  • try windsurfing

Prepositions

Etymology

EnglishEnglish

The word 'windsurf' was created in the 1960s by blending 'wind' (moving air) and 'surf' (to ride on waves on a board). The combination describes the new sport that attached a sail to a surfboard, allowing riders to use the wind instead of waves for movement. It became an Olympic sport in 1984.