wipe

play

verb \ ˈwīp \

Definition of wipe

wiped; wiping

transitive verb

1 a :to rub with or as if with something soft for cleaning

b :to clean or dry by rubbing

c :to draw, pass, or move for or as if for rubbing or cleaning

wiped his hand across his brow

2 a :to remove by or as if by rubbing

wipe the spots off the glass

b :to expunge completely

wipe from memory the gruesome scenes
—Amer. Guide Series: Del.

3 :to spread by or as if by wiping

intransitive verb

:to make a motion of or as if of wiping something

— wipe one's boots on

:to treat with indignity

— wipe the floor with or wipe the ground with

:to defeat decisively

See wipe defined for English-language learners

See wipe defined for kids

Examples of wipe in a Sentence

Would you wipe the dishes?
She wiped her eyes with a tissue.
We were wiping the spots from the wine glasses.
He wiped his hand across his forehead.

Recent Examples of wipe from the Web

The Belle of Louisville, built in 1914, spent seven months being repaired before returning just in time to wipe the mat with the Delta Queen in the 1998 Great Steamboat Race (which was totally not fixed).

— jeffrey lee puckett, The Courier-Journal, "20 years ago today, the Belle of Louisville sank – and the saboteur is still making news," 24 Aug. 2017
Prior commemoration was wiped away, thereby robbing the posthumous ogre of any legacy and hence any existence for eternity.

— victor davis hanson, National Review, "Our War against Memory," 22 Aug. 2017
Citizens needed to raise $15,000 to make this happen, and the raid had nearly wiped out everyone.

— robert k. sutton, Smithsonian, "The Wealthy Activist Who Helped Turn “Bleeding Kansas” Free," 16 Aug. 2017
Take a serviette and wipe the rim, making sure there’s no foil.

— sarah solomon, Town & Country, "An Etiquette Guide to Champagne and Oysters," 28 July 2017
Mr Campbell argues that this was a methodical effort to wipe out Ethiopian resistance to Italian rule, more like later Nazi war crimes than earlier colonial massacres.

— The Economist, "Italy and the Addis Ababa massacre," 20 July 2017
Do not wipe your traitorous mugs with the name of my late brother.

— rick lyman, New York Times, "In Poland, an Assault on the Courts Provokes Outrage," 19 July 2017
How to use: Dip sponge or mop in solution and wipe over surface, then rinse area with clear water.

— Good Housekeeping, "9 Cleaners You Can Make Yourself," 10 July 2017
Yet even as officials debate the nuances of European bailout policy in Frankfurt and Brussels, there’s little doubt that wiping the slate clean is a boon for Italy, at least in the short term.

— edward robinson, Bloomberg.com, "Italian Banks Hit Reset as Taxpayer Billions Bail Out Lenders," 4 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wipe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of wipe

Middle English wipen, from Old English wīpian; akin to Old High German wīfan to wind around, Latin vibrare to brandish, and probably to Old Norse veipa to be in movement, Sanskrit vepate it trembles

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

wipe

noun

Definition of wipe

1 a :blow, strike

b :jeer, gibe

2 a :an act or instance of wiping

b :a transition from one scene or picture to another (as in movies or television) made by a line moving across the screen

3 :something (such as a towel) used for wiping

See wipe defined for English-language learners

Examples of wipe in a Sentence

With a wipe, the spill was gone.

Recent Examples of wipe from the Web

Pick up a supply of no-water antibacterial soaps and sprays, baby wipes, waterless wash clothes and other products to keep hands and faces clean.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "Hurricane season kitchen prep 101: Eat, drink and stay safe," 24 Aug. 2017
The wipe-off gel has been tested on crow's-feet in 1,600 subjects in clinical trials.

— allure editors, Allure, "7 Innovative Skin-Care Treatments That Will Change the Way We Age," 15 Aug. 2017
His clothing was removed, and workers used towels and wipes to clean his skin before putting him into a shower in another building.

— patrick malone and peter cary, idahostatesman, "Unheeded warnings, repeated mistakes put lives at risk at Idaho nuclear lab," 10 Aug. 2017
The entire collection's packaging is rose gold and bronze, because #millennial, and includes the usual personal-hygiene staples, like a gentle wash, some cleansing wipes, and a post-shave cream.

— chloe metzger, Marie Claire, "Vagina Makeup Exists, Because This Is the World We Live in Now," 25 July 2017
In Seattle, even the team employees started using the wipes after yoga sessions or long flights.

— greg bishop, The MMQB, "The NFL's Optimism Season," 26 June 2017
Mainland companies have carved a niche in the production of consumer products, led by Hengan International Group Co., which makes diapers and wipes, and Want Want China Holdings Ltd., maker of snack food and packaging materials.

— eric lam, Bloomberg.com, "Hong Kong’s Stock Market Tells the Story of China’s Growing Dominance," 23 June 2017
Dear Heloise: For holding skeins of yarn, use large, empty plastic canisters of disinfecting wipes.

— hints from heloise, star-telegram.com, "Keep everyone safe during mosquito season," 22 June 2017
Forgotten Soldiers is in need of toiletries/hygiene products, baby wipes, bar soap, disposable razors, tissues, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash and toothbrushes.

— jan engoren, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Volunteers pack care boxes for soldiers," 21 June 2017

First Known Use of wipe

1550

Other Broadcasting Terms

continuity, dissolve, fade, feed, remote, residual, spike

WIPE Defined for English Language Learners

wipe

play

verb

Definition of wipe for English Language Learners

: to clean or dry (something) by using a towel, your hand, etc.
: to remove (something) by rubbing
: to move (something) over a surface

wipe

noun

Definition of wipe for English Language Learners

: a small, wet cloth that is used for cleaning
: an act of cleaning or drying something by using a towel, your hand, etc.

WIPE Defined for Kids

wipe

play

verb \ ˈwīp \

Definition of wipe for Students

wiped; wiping

1 :to clean or dry by rubbing

Will you wipe the dishes?

2 :to remove by or as if by rubbing

Wipe away your tears.

—

wiper

noun

— wipe out

:to destroy completely

wipe

noun

Definition of wipe for Students

:an act of wiping :rub

Learn More about wipe

See words that rhyme with wipe Spanish Central: Translation of wipe Nglish: Translation of wipe for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of wipe for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wipe

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Examples of wipe in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of wipe

wipe

Definition of wipe

Examples of wipe in a Sentence

Recent Examples of wipe from the Web

First Known Use of wipe

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WIPE Defined for English Language Learners

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Definition of wipe for English Language Learners

wipe

Definition of wipe for English Language Learners

WIPE Defined for Kids

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