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

see also:

wipe one's boots on wipe the floor with

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

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

This woven crossbody has a similar look to Aniston’s, plus a glossy finish that’s easy to wipe clean — a practical perk for everyday wear and travel. — Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026

On Thursday, Barberena tried to access his legal accreditation on the government's database, and said his name and license number were wiped clean from the system. — ABC News, 10 July 2026

Noun

Giving your white shoes a quick wipe after wearing them can prevent dirt and marks from becoming more difficult to clean later. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 9 July 2026

Waterproof countertops like quartz or marble wipe clean in seconds. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026

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

Rhymes for wipe

• gripe
• hype
• lipe
• pipe
• ripe
• sipe
• skype
• snipe
• stipe
• stripe
• strype
• swipe

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