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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | wipian |
Related topics:1
clean/rub
[transitive]a) to rub a surface with something in order to remove dirt, liquid etc
b) to clean something by rubbing it against a surface
2 to remove liquid, dirt, or marks by wiping
remove dirt
[transitive always + adverb/preposition]3TD to remove all the information that is stored on a tape, video, or computer disk
computer/tape
[transitive]TCRTD7 to make someone feel less happy or confident, especially someone who is annoying because they think they are clever : 
Tell him how much it'll cost - that should wipe the smile off his face!
wipe the smile/grin off somebody's face
informal
Tell him how much it'll cost - that should wipe the smile off his face!8 to destroy something completely : Another few years and this species could be wiped off the face of the earth.
wipe something off the face of the earth/wipe something off the map
Another few years and this species could be wiped off the face of the earth.9 to dry plates, cups etc that have been washed [= dry]: You wash, I'll wipe.
plates/cups etc
[intransitive and transitive]DHCYou wash, I'll wipe.wipe something ↔ away
phrasal verbA frown quickly wiped away her smile.wipe something ↔ down
phrasal verbDHC to completely clean a surface using a wet cloth
wipe something off something
phrasal verbNearly £7 billion has been wiped off share prices worldwide.wipe out
phrasal verb1 to destroy, remove, or get rid of something completely : Whole villages were wiped out by the floods. Nothing could wipe out his bitter memories of the past.
wipe somebody/something ↔ out
Whole villages were wiped out by the floods.Nothing could wipe out his bitter memories of the past.2 to make you feel extremely tired : The heat had wiped us out. ➔ wiped out
wipe somebody ↔ out
informalThe heat had wiped us out.3 American English to fall or hit another object when driving a car, riding a bicycle etc
wipe something ↔ up
phrasal verbDHC to remove liquid from a surface using a cloth : I hastily wiped up the milk I had spilled.
I hastily wiped up the milk I had spilled.WORD FOCUS: clean WORD FOCUS: clean
wash with soap and water
wipe with a damp cloth
brush with a brush to remove the dirt
polish by rubbing with a cloth
scrub by rubbing hard
sweep with a broom
mop with water and a mop (a tool with a long handle)
vacuum also hoover British English with a machine that sucks up dust
disinfect using chemicals to kill germs
cleanse to clean your skin using a special cream
rinse to put water on to remove dirt or soap
dust to remove dust, for example with a cloth
➔ See also clean
WORD FOCUS: clean wash with soap and water
wipe with a damp cloth
brush with a brush to remove the dirt
polish by rubbing with a cloth
scrub by rubbing hard
sweep with a broom
mop with water and a mop (a tool with a long handle)
vacuum also hoover British English with a machine that sucks up dust
disinfect using chemicals to kill germs
cleanse to clean your skin using a special cream
rinse to put water on to remove dirt or soap
dust to remove dust, for example with a cloth
➔ See also clean
