wipe

1 of 2

verb

ˈwīp 

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

2 of 2

noun

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

Phrases

wipe one's boots on

: to treat with indignity

wipe the floor with or wipe the ground with

: to defeat decisively

Examples of wipe in a Sentence

Verb

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.

Noun

With a wipe, the spill was gone.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Then, soak a soft cloth with the Feed-N-Wax and wipe evenly onto your floors. —Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Nov. 2023

After cleansing, add a few drops of the Best of Beauty-winning Texture Tonic to a cotton pad and wipe across your face for a gentle smoothing treatment powered by AHAs, niacinamide, and Japanese mugwort. —Annie Blackman, Allure, 28 Nov. 2023

Shout Wipe and Go Instant Stain Remover wipes have saved us more than just a few times while traveling. —Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023

Each bag offers specific compartments for diapers and wipes, as well as a detachable insulated bottle holder. —Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 24 Nov. 2023

Also, make sure to wipe the data from your dusty smartphones and laptops with a factory reset before selling or otherwise getting rid of them. —WIRED, 16 Nov. 2023

Populations were wiped to the brink of extinction prior to the 20th century as they were hunted for their coats, which is the second-thickest in the animal kingdom. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2023

Thank you for lifting my chin up and wiping my tears. —Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 8 Nov. 2023

Celebrities Keke Palmer’s ex-boyfriend, Darius Jackson, wiped his Instagram amid abuse allegations. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023

Noun

The bag has all the functionality a parent-on-the-go could want, including a changing pad with a pocket for wipes and diapers, an odor-proof pouch for those stinky diapers or dirty duds, a teething ring, and a pacifier pouch. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 24 Nov. 2023

This kit takes it off the to-do list without taking up too much room in bags, and includes wipes, gauze pads, and assorted bandages. —Annie Gabillet, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2023

Ingredients Most cleaning wipes, including every wipe on our list, are bleach-free. —Jessica Comstock, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Oct. 2023

Every shoe fanatic needs an ultra-effective cleanser wipe – and the Sneaker LAB All Purpose Sneaker Wipes are the ones to buy. —Alyssa Rotunno, Travel + Leisure, 17 Nov. 2023

High-quality baby bags are ripe with space for all of the necessities a new parent needs: diapers, wipes, pacifiers, some extra newborn clothes, pacifiers, and more. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2023

According to the brand, one wipe can block sweat for up to seven days, an appealing premise for those who sweat excessively. —Melanie Rud, Peoplemag, 30 Aug. 2023

This case holds up to three pairs of glasses in a sturdy polyester case with a microfiber interior (to avoid lens scratches) and a mesh pocket up top to hold cleaning wipes and other necessities. —Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 26 Oct. 2023

Find it on Amazon An Easy One-Touch Wipe Dispenser Late-night makeup removal or a post-coffee bathroom run can turn into a nightmare if your wipes are dried out or empty. —Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing wipe

• baby wipe
• wipe (someone or something) off the face of the earth
• wipe (someone or something) off the map
• wipe up
• wipe the ground with
• wipe the slate clean
• wipe the floor with
• wipe that smile off your face
• wipe the smile off one's face
• wipe that smirk off your face
• wipe the grin off his face
• wipe one's feet
• wipe off
• wipe down
• wipe away
• wipe (something) clean
• wipe out
• wipe one's boots on

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• baby wipe
• wipe (someone or something) off the face of the earth
• wipe (someone or something) off the map
• wipe up
• wipe the ground with
• wipe the slate clean
• wipe the floor with
• wipe that smile off your face
• wipe the smile off one's face
• wipe that smirk off your face
• wipe the grin off his face
• wipe one's feet
• wipe off
• wipe down
• wipe away
• wipe (something) clean
• wipe out
• wipe one's boots on

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Kids Definition

wipe

1 of 2 verb

ˈwīp 

wiped; wiping

1

: to clean or dry by rubbing

wipe dishes

2

: to remove by or as if by rubbing

wipe away tears

3

: to pass or draw over a surface

wiped my hand across my forehead

wiper noun

wipe

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act or instance of wiping

2

: something used for wiping