What does "swipe" mean?

1. (touch screen interaction) to move your finger quickly across a touch screen to see more content. 2. (sliding a card) to pull a plastic card through a machine that reads its information. 3. (to steal) to take something quickly or secretly without permission. 4. (a critical remark) a comment that criticizes someone or something. 5. (a sweeping movement) a quick, swinging movement with your hand or an object.

How do you use "swipe"?

Often used with directional adverbs like 'left', 'right', 'up', or 'down'. Takes a direct object, usually a card or badge. Commonly used in the phrase 'take a swipe at'.

swipe

v. · n.

US //ˈswaɪp// UK //swˈaɪp// swipe

1 touch screen interaction (v.)
B1 Intermediate Computing

to move your finger quickly across a touch screen to see more content.

to interact with a capacitive touch interface by sliding a finger rapidly across the surface.

Example

You can swipe left to see the next photo in the gallery.

Example

Users typically swipe through several profiles before deciding which ones to engage with more deeply.

Usage

Often used with directional adverbs like 'left', 'right', 'up', or 'down'.
- slide
- scroll
- tap
- click
2 sliding a card (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to pull a plastic card through a machine that reads its information.

to pass a magnetic stripe card through a reader to facilitate a transaction or grant access.

Example

Please swipe your card again because the machine didn't read it.

Example

The security guard watched as the employee swiped her badge to unlock the laboratory door.

Usage

Takes a direct object, usually a card or badge.
- scan
- insert

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3 to steal (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

to take something quickly or secretly without permission.

to steal or snatch an object, typically in a casual or opportunistic manner.

Example

Someone swiped my pen when I left my desk for a minute.

Example

He managed to swipe a handful of biscuits from the plate while his mother was distracted by the phone.
- steal
- snatch
- pilfer
- return
- give
4 a critical remark (n.)
C1 Advanced Informal

a comment that criticizes someone or something.

a critical or insulting remark, often delivered suddenly or as part of a broader discussion.

Example

The politician took a swipe at his opponent during the speech.

Example

The reviewer took a subtle swipe at the director's previous work, suggesting this new film was a much-needed improvement.

Usage

Commonly used in the phrase 'take a swipe at'.
- compliment
- praise
5 a sweeping movement (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a quick, swinging movement with your hand or an object.

a forceful, sweeping motion or blow delivered with the hand, a limb, or a handheld tool.

Example

With one swipe of its paw, the cat knocked the glass off the table.

Example

The batter missed the ball completely with a wild swipe of the bat.

Origin

From earlier swip (with a short vowel), from Middle English swippen, swipen (“to move violently”), from Old English swipian, sweopian, swippan (“to scourge, strike, beat, lash”), from Proto-West Germanic swippjan, swipōn, swipēn, from Proto-Germanic swipōną, swipjaną, swipāną (“to move”), from Proto-Indo-European *sweyb- (“to bend, turn, swerve, sway, swing, sweep”). Cognate with German schwippen (“to whip”), Danish svippe (“to smack; crack a whip”), Icelandic svipa (“to whip; move swiftly”). Related to sweep, swoop.