Wipe

/waɪp/

Meaning & Definition

noun
an act of cleaning or drying by rubbing a surface.
Give the countertop a quick wipe before preparing the food.
a piece of cloth or tissue used for cleaning or wiping.
I always keep some wipes in my bag for quick clean-ups.
verb
to rub a surface with a cloth, one's hand, or another object in order to remove dirt, moisture, or unwanted material.
She used a paper towel to wipe the spilled juice off the table.
to remove something from a surface or a place by rubbing it away.
He wiped the chalkboard clean after the lesson.
to erase data or information from a digital device.
Before selling the laptop, he made sure to wipe all the personal data.

Etymology

Middle English 'wipen', from Old English 'wīpan', meaning to move swiftly.

Common Phrases and Expressions

wipe the slate clean
To start fresh, to erase past mistakes.
wipe out
To completely eliminate or destroy.
wipe the floor with someone
To defeat someone easily or decisively.
wipe away
To remove something by rubbing, often tears or dust.

Related Words

clean
To make something free of dirt or marks.
erase
To remove writing or marks from a surface.
scrub
To clean something thoroughly by rubbing it hard.

Slang Meanings

To fail miserably.
I really wiped on that exam.
To heavily defeat someone in competition.
We wiped them in the first round.