A typical superhydrophobic (ultrahydrophobic) surface can repel water droplets from wetting itself, and the contact angle of a water droplet resting on a superhydrophobic surface is greater than 150°, which means extremely low wettability is achievable on superhydrophobic surfaces. Many superhydrophobic surfaces (both manmade and natural) normally exhibit micro- or nanosized roughness as well as hierarchical structure, which somehow can influence the surface's water repellence. As the research into superhydrophobic surfaces goes deeper and wider, it is becoming more important to both academic fields and industrial applications. In this work, the most recent progress in preparing manmade superhydrophobic surfaces through a variety of methodologies, particularly within the past several years, and the fundamental theories of wetting phenomena related to superhydrophobic surfaces are reviewed. We also discuss the perspective of natural superhydrophobic surfaces utilized as mimicking models. The discussion focuses on how the superhydrophobic property is promoted on solid surfaces and emphasizes the effect of surface roughness and structure in particular. This review aims to enable researchers to perceive the inner principles of wetting phenomena and employ suitable methods for creation and modification of superhydrophobic surfaces. (a) A glycerol drop on Euphorbia myrsinites, which is a robust specimen and well suited to show the surface's repellence against the liquid droplet. (b) The upper side surface of the lotus leaf without the shrinkage artifact. (c) The wax tubules from the upper side of the lotus leaf. Display omitted ► We review the most recent progress in preparing superhydrophobic surfaces. ► The fundamental theories of wetting phenomena are investigated. ► The natural models inspiring to the creation of superhydrophobic surfaces are inspected. ► The main discussion focuses on the formation of surface roughness and structure. ► We present the creation of superhydrophobic surfaces through a variety of techniques.