wipe
wyp
Wipe (verb) means to rub something over a surface in order to clean it or remove a substance. Example: “Please wipe the board clean before the next lesson begins.”
verb
1
To rub something over a surface in order to clean it or remove a substance.
"Please wipe the board clean before the next lesson begins."
"She wiped the counter after cooking."
"He wiped his muddy boots on the mat."
2
To remove or erase something completely, often followed by "out," "away," or "off."
"Heavy rain can wipe away footprints in the sand within minutes."
"The flood wiped out the entire crop."
"A factory reset will wipe all the data from the phone."
noun
1
A small pre-moistened piece of cloth or paper used for cleaning.
"I used a wipe to clean the sticky screen."
"Pack a few antibacterial wipes in your bag for the picnic."
"Keep a pack of baby wipes in the car."
2
The act of wiping something.
"Give the table a quick wipe before the guests sit down."
"A wipe with a damp cloth was enough to remove the dust."
"One quick wipe and the spill was gone."
How to use wipe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo clean or erase something by rubbing or removing it — also the disposable cloth used to do that.
Common pairings
wipe down
wipe out
baby wipes
wipe the slate clean
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Word forms
- Plural
- wipes
- Third person singular
- wipes
- Past tense
- wiped
Fill the gap
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Please _____ the board clean before the next lesson begins.
Etymology
From Old English wīpian, "to wipe or cleanse," from a Proto-Germanic root related to twisting or winding motion.
Related words
Rhymes for wipe
See all rhymes for wipe →Frequently asked questions
What does “wipe” mean?
The word “wipe” means to rub something over a surface in order to clean it or remove a substance. In plain terms, to clean or erase something by rubbing or removing it — also the disposable cloth used to do that.
How do you pronounce “wipe”?
“Wipe” is pronounced wyp (/waɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “wipe” in a sentence?
Here is “wipe” used in a sentence: “She wiped the counter after cooking.”
What part of speech is “wipe”?
Depending on how it is used, “wipe” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “wipe” come from?
The word “wipe” comes from Old English. From Old English wīpian, "to wipe or cleanse," from a Proto-Germanic root related to twisting or winding motion.
Is “wipe” a common word?
“Wipe” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “wipe” have?
“Wipe” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to rub something over a surface in order to clean it or remove a substance.
What is the difference between wipe and clean?
To clean is to remove dirt by any method, so it names the goal. To wipe is a specific action: rubbing something, usually a cloth, over a surface to clean it or remove a substance. You can wipe a counter without getting it fully clean, and you can clean something by soaking or scrubbing rather than wiping.
Is wipe a noun as well as a verb?
Yes. As a noun, a wipe is a small pre-moistened piece of cloth or paper used for cleaning, as in baby wipes or antibacterial wipes. It also names the act of wiping, as in "give the table a quick wipe."
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