swipe
swipe Lexical Profile
swipe Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An act of passing a magnetic card through an electronic reader, or sliding a finger across a touchscreen.
"With a quick swipe of her finger, she dismissed the notification from her phone screen."
A sweeping, forceful blow or stroke made with a hand, paw, or weapon.
"The housecat took a playful swipe at the dangling yarn."
A critical, sarcastic, or insulting remark directed at someone or something.
"The columnist used his final paragraph to take a subtle swipe at the city's transit policy."
American A counterbalanced lever, pivoted on an upright post, used for raising water from a well; a well sweep.
"The old homestead still featured a wooden swipe beside the stone well."
• verb
To pass a card with a magnetic strip through an electronic reader, or to move one's finger across a touchscreen to navigate or execute a command.
"Please swipe your security badge at the turnstile to enter the building."
To strike or try to hit someone or something with a sweeping, swinging motion.
"The batter swiped at the outside pitch and missed completely."
To steal or snatch something quickly and furtively (informal).
"A seagull swooped down and swiped a french fry right off his plate."
• Rhymes for swipe
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the early 19th century, probably originating as a dialectal variant of 'sweep' influenced by 'wipe'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.