What does "swipe" mean?
A quick grab, bat, or other motion with the hand or paw; a sweep.
Swipe
/swaɪp/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A quick grab, bat, or other motion with the hand or paw; a sweep.
- Grammar: swipe is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: abstract, abstract, adverse criticism, and.
- Useful contrasts: dodge, honesty, insert.
- Usage evidence: Swipe either left or right to see another animal.
How to use "swipe"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "swipe" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "swipe" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "swipe" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "swipe" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "swipe" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abstract" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "swipe", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A quick grab, bat, or other motion with the hand or paw; a sweep. countable
- 2 a sweeping stroke or blow wordnet
- 3 A strong blow given with a sweeping motion, as with a bat or club. countable
- 4 An act of interacting with a touch screen by drawing the finger rapidly across it. countable
"Some New Yorkers are moving beyond the swipe to venture into flirtatious panel discussions and speed dating sessions."
- 5 An act of passing a swipecard through a card reader. countable
"Owning a car in New York City is seen as a liability by many, especially when a quick Uber ride or the swipe of a MetroCard can easily get you where you need to go."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 A rough guess; an estimate or swag. countable, informal
"Take a swipe at the answer, even if you're not sure."
- 7 An attack, insult or critical remark. countable, informal
"The politician took a swipe at his opponents."
- 8 Poor, weak beer or other inferior alcoholic beverage; rotgut. uncountable
"Woozy with swipe was the only way I could stay down with patience for work."
Verb
- 1 To grab or bat quickly. intransitive
"The cat swiped at the shoelace."
- 2 strike with a swiping motion wordnet
- 3 To strike with a strong blow in a sweeping motion. transitive
- 4 make off with belongings of others wordnet
- 5 To scan or register by sliding (a swipecard etc.) through a reader. transitive
"He swiped his card at the door."
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 To interact with a touch screen by drawing one's finger rapidly across it. intransitive, transitive
"Swipe left to hide the toolbar."
- 7 To swipe right on (someone) on a dating application. informal, transitive
"Zac Efron needs a date. […] But would the actor resort to apps to find a partner? Joking, he said, “Amazingly, when I signed up for Tinder, nobody swiped me! They thought it was fake … That never happened.”"
- 8 To steal or snatch. informal, transitive
"Hey! Who swiped my lunch?"
- 9 To drink. obsolete, slang
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Swipe either left or right to see another animal."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "swipe"?
Common synonyms include: abstract, abstract, adverse criticism, and, animadversion, annex.
How do you use "swipe" in a sentence?
Swipe either left or right to see another animal.
How do you pronounce "swipe"?
Pronounced /swaɪp/.
Etymology
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.