First Known Use: 1739
Dictionary
1swipe
noun \ˈswīp\
: a criticism or insult that is directed toward a particular person or group
: a swinging movement of a person's hand, an animal's paw, etc., that is done in an attempt to hit something
Full Definition of SWIPE
1
: a strong sweeping blow <a swipe of a paw>
2
: a sharp often critical remark <took a parting swipe at management>
See swipe defined for English-language learners
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Origin of SWIPE
probably alteration of sweep
Related to SWIPE
- Synonyms
- bang, bash, bat, beat, belt, biff, bop, box, buffet, bust, chop, clap, clip, clout, crack, cuff, dab, douse [British], fillip, hack, haymaker, hit, hook, knock, larrup [dialect], lash, lick, pelt, pick, plump, poke, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slug, smack, smash, sock, spank, stinger, stripe, stroke, swat, 1blow, switch, thud, thump, thwack, wallop, welt, whack, wham, whop (also whap)
2swipe
verb
: to reach toward and try to hit (something) with a swinging motion
: to steal (something)
: to pass (a credit card, ATM card, etc.) through a machine that reads information from it
swipedswip·ing
Full Definition of SWIPE
intransitive verb
: to strike or move with a sweeping motion
transitive verb
1
: to strike or wipe with a sweeping motion
3
: to slide (a card with a magnetic strip or bar code) through a slot in a reading device so that information stored on the strip can be processed (as in making a purchase)
See swipe defined for English-language learners
See swipe defined for kids
First Known Use of SWIPE
circa 1825
SWIPE Defined for Kids
1swipe
noun \ˈswīp\
Definition of SWIPE for Kids
: a strong sweeping movement <He took a swipe at the ball.>
2swipe
verb
swipedswip·ing
Definition of SWIPE for Kids
1
: 1steal 1 <No, she wouldn't swipe Christmas greens from a graveyard … — Richard Peck, A Year Down Yonder>
2
: to make a strong sweeping movement <The cat swiped at the dog.>
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