swipe
B2Informal, but widely used in technical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A quick, sweeping or brushing movement, especially with the hand.
To quickly move a finger or object across a touchscreen surface; to steal or take something quickly and casually; a critical remark or attack.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The meaning has evolved significantly with technology. Core senses involve motion (swiping a hand, a card). Figurative uses ('swipe at someone') imply criticism. The 'steal' sense is informal/colloquial.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. The verb 'to swipe' meaning 'to steal' might be slightly more prevalent in AmE informal speech. 'Swipe' as a noun for a critical remark (e.g., 'take a swipe at') is equally common.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Frequency is high in both, driven by technology. Possibly slightly higher in AmE for the 'steal' sense.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V] (intransitive): She swiped to unlock the phone.[V + prep] (transitive): He swiped the card through the reader.[V + NP + prep]: Someone swiped my phone from the table.[V + at + NP] (figurative): The critic took a swipe at the author's new book.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Swipe left/right (to reject/accept on a dating app)”
- “Take a swipe at someone/something (to criticise)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to card payment transactions ('a card swipe'), or unauthorised data access ('someone swiped the client list').
Academic
Rare, except in Human-Computer Interaction studies discussing 'swipe gestures'.
Everyday
Very common for phone/tablet interaction ('swipe up for notifications'), and informal 'stealing' ('He swiped my biscuit!').
Technical
Central term in UX/UI design for touchscreen interaction patterns.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Swipe your Oyster card at the barrier.
- I think John swiped my pen from the meeting room.
American English
- Swipe your card at the gas pump.
- He swiped a cookie from the jar when no one was looking.
adverb
British English
- He took the papers swipe off the desk. (Very rare/archaic)
American English
- (Rarely used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- The new phone has a swipe-based navigation system.
American English
- The hotel uses swipe-card locks on all the rooms.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Swipe the screen to see the next photo.
- Don't swipe my chocolate!
- You need to swipe your credit card in this machine.
- The reviewer took a swipe at the film's predictable plot.
- The new app uses a swipe-left gesture to delete items.
- He's been accused of swiping ideas from his competitors.
- The interface relies entirely on intuitive swipe controls, eliminating the need for buttons.
- Her speech contained a thinly-veiled swipe at the leadership of the previous administration.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SWInging wipe - a broad, sweeping wiping motion.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTERACTION IS PHYSICAL MANIPULATION (swiping a screen), ACQUISITION IS TAKING (swiping a wallet), CRITICISM IS A BLOW (taking a swipe).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'swing' (качаться, размахивать). 'Swipe' is a single, quick, surface-level motion. The tech meaning is best translated as 'свайп' or 'провести пальцем'. The 'steal' sense is like 'стащить', 'увести'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'swipe' for a careful, deliberate movement (incorrect).
- Confusing 'swipe' with 'scroll' (scrolling moves content view, swiping often triggers an action/transition).
- Overusing the 'steal' sense in formal writing.
Practice
Quiz
In the context of modern dating apps, 'swipe left' traditionally means:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the core meaning is a brushing motion (swiping a card, swiping dust off a shelf). The touchscreen use is a dominant modern application.
Not typically. You 'swipe' to turn a page on a touchscreen device, but the action is on the screen, not the page itself. Better: 'Swipe to turn the page' or 'swipe left for the next page'.
'Swipe' is informal and often implies speed, opportunism, and a lack of great value ('He swiped a mint from the bowl'). 'Steal' is the general, neutral term and can apply to any theft, serious or minor.
Yes, in technology ('swipe right to like'), and it can be playful ('She swiped the last ticket before I could'). Its critical sense ('take a swipe at') is negative.