wipe
B1Neutral (used across formal and informal contexts)
Definition
Meaning
To clean or dry a surface by rubbing it with something soft like a cloth or hand.
To remove something completely from a surface, memory, or system; to destroy or obliterate.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The action implies a deliberate, often complete, removal. In digital contexts, it means to erase data irreversibly. Can imply force or thoroughness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Wipe down' (clean a surface) is equally common. In finance, 'write off' is more common than 'wipe out' for debts in formal UK contexts.
Connotations
Similar. 'Wipe the floor with someone' (defeat utterly) is used in both.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English in the phrase 'wipe out' (to exhaust or destroy).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP wipe NP (He wiped the table)NP wipe NP ADJ (She wiped it clean)NP wipe NP PP (Wipe the mud off your shoes)NP wipe NP away/off/up (Please wipe up that spill)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “wipe the slate clean”
- “wipe the floor with someone”
- “wipe that smile off your face”
- “wipe out”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Debt or losses can be 'wiped out'. A company's value can be 'wiped off' the market.
Academic
Used in historical contexts: 'The plague wiped out a third of the population.'
Everyday
Cleaning surfaces, removing spills, drying dishes.
Technical
In computing: to securely erase data from a storage device.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Could you wipe the worktop after making toast?
- The virus wiped out half the village in the 19th century.
American English
- Wipe your feet on the mat before you come in.
- The stock market crash wiped out his savings.
adjective
British English
- Use a wipe-clean tablecloth for the kids' party.
- The new disinfectant wipes are very effective.
American English
- She bought a pack of antibacterial wipes.
- The phone has a wipe-clean screen protector.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I wipe the table every day.
- She wiped her hands on a towel.
- Please wipe that spill up before someone slips.
- He wiped the sweat from his forehead.
- The government's new policy aims to wipe out urban poverty.
- She quickly wiped the surprised look off her face.
- The scandal wiped millions off the company's share price.
- Ancient records were expunged, effectively wiping the event from history.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'wiper' on a car windshield. It moves across to CLEAR the surface, just as 'wipe' means to clear or clean.
Conceptual Metaphor
REMOVAL IS WIPING (e.g., wipe out a memory, wipe away sadness). CLEANING IS A FRESH START (e.g., wipe the slate clean).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'weep' (плакать).
- The Russian verb 'вытирать' is a good match for the physical action, but 'уничтожить' is better for 'wipe out'.
- Avoid using 'wipe' for 'sweep' (подметать).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *'Wipe the water from the bottle.' (Better: 'Dry the bottle.')
- Incorrect preposition: *'Wipe the dirt of the table.' (Correct: 'off the table.')
- Confusing 'wipe' with 'sweep' for floors.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'wipe' used metaphorically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Wipe' specifies the action of rubbing with a cloth/hand, often on a flat surface. 'Clean' is more general and can involve various methods (vacuuming, washing).
Mostly yes (wipe out a population, savings). It can be neutral in sports (the surfer wiped out) meaning to fall off a board.
Yes. It commonly refers to a disposable cleaning cloth (e.g., 'baby wipe', 'antiseptic wipe').
'Wipe off/from' for removal (wipe mud off boots). 'Wipe up' for liquids (wipe up the milk). 'Wipe down' for cleaning a large surface (wipe down the walls).