verb
wipe
wyp
verb
1
To rub something over a surface in order to clean it or remove a substance.
"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."
"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.
"Keep a pack of baby wipes in the car."
2
The act of wiping something.
"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
Word Forms
wiped past tense, wiped past tense, wipes plural, wipes plural, wipes plural, wipes singular, wipes singular
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Etymology
From Old English wīpian, "to wipe or cleanse," from a Proto-Germanic root related to twisting or winding motion.