wipe

1 of 2

verb

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 scenesAmer. 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
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
The singer-songwriter’s vast fandom is known to wipe anything Taylor-related right off the shelves in mere minutes or even seconds, so be sure to act swiftly (*wink, wink*). Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 15 Oct. 2024 Wearing a navy suit, the 14-term congressman sat on a folding chair next to a sample ballot box topped with a container of Clorox wipes. Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2024
Noun
Munchkin Touch Free Baby Wipe Warmer with Nightlight & Motion Sensor A warm wipe in the middle of the night (or day) is a welcome addition. Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 8 Oct. 2024 Specifically speaking, the toilet seat and flush handle are harboring germs and bacteria that need to be sanitized with the help of a disinfectant wipe. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wipe 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wipe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of wipe was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near wipe

Cite this Entry

“Wipe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wipe. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

wipe

1 of 2 verb
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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