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

How to Clean Outdoor Lights Remove the lightbulb from the fixture, thoroughly wipe with a soft, damp cloth and dry with a dry, soft cloth for improved brightness. —USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024

Their existence also seems extremely fragile: just one false step into a steel-jawed trap could wipe their tribe out forever. —Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024

Then wipe the outside of the window with a wet rag, followed by a pass with a microfiber cloth doused in your solution. —Jennifer Barger, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024

Sixty-six million years ago, an asteroid collided with Earth, causing a mass extinction that wiped our three-quarters of animal life. —Graeme Green, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024

It is made of a strong resin material that lasts longer and is easy to wipe clean. —Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Apr. 2024

Begin by scraping off any stuck-on residue, then proceed to wipe it down with dish soap and water. —Katherine Owen, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024

The judges also wiped tears from their eyes as Teague sang and spoke about her family. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2024

Both are generally easy to wipe clean, though hard shells can be more prone to scuffs. —Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2024

Noun

Passengers onboard the April 5 flight were given masks and disinfectant wipes. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024

On another note, many reached for makeup removal wipes. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024

Two internal pockets hold wipes and diapers, so parents and caregivers don’t have to rummage through the diaper bag for essentials. —Maya Polton, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024

With limited diapers, wipes and creams from volunteers, babies have been kept in dirty diapers for extended periods of time, according to court exhibits, causing severe diaper rash. —Emily Baumgaertner, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024

The patch, which will be available later today, is the first major patch since Arena launched late last year and brings with it the first wipe. —Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024

Still, makeup wipes are better than not cleansing at all; however, they should not be used frequently in place of a double-cleansing method. —Iman Balagam, Vogue, 25 Jan. 2024

Wipe the brush clean with a wipe, and you're all set! —Maya Polton, Parents, 27 Mar. 2024

Most of these devices can be cleaned using a microfiber cloth, cotton swab, water, isopropyl alcohol, or a disinfecting wipe. —USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2024

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

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