What does swipe mean?
Swipe most often describes a quick sideways movement of the hand or finger, especially when using a touchscreen: a user may swipe left, swipe right, or swipe through a list. The word can also refer to a rapid movement through the air, a sweeping blow, or an attempt to strike something. In informal British and American English, to swipe someone can mean to steal from them, while a swipe at someone or something can be a brief critical remark. As a noun, swipe may denote a quick gesture, a blow, or a card transaction. Its origins are older and more physical, connected with actions such as whipping and striking; the modern touchscreen sense developed as digital interfaces made the gesture common. The word is especially useful because it concisely combines speed, direction, and movement, while also carrying several figurative meanings involving theft or criticism.
To move a finger, hand, or object quickly across a surface, especially to interact with a touchscreen; also, informally, to steal something or make a sharp critical remark.
"He swiped the phone screen and opened the new message."
The touchscreen sense is neutral. The senses of stealing and criticizing are informal and generally negative.
A quick sweeping movement or blow; a brief criticism or attack; or, in banking, a card transaction made by passing a card through a reader.
"The thief made a swipe at the handbag but missed."
The noun is commonly used with “at,” as in “a swipe at someone,” for a quick physical attempt or a sharp criticism.
The noun is pluralized as swipes when referring to several gestures, blows, criticisms, or card transactions.
"A series of quick swipes across the screen changed the image."
From an old word for whipping to today's flick through a dating app, swipe has moved from physical force to a gesture that can mean love, rejection, or payment.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does swipe come from?
The word descends from Middle English swippen, from Old English swippen, meaning “to whip” or “flog.” It belongs to a Germanic family of words associated with rapid movement and striking, with close historical cognates including sweep, swift, and whip. Its older senses concerned forceful physical action; the later gesture and touchscreen senses arose as the meaning broadened to a quick movement across a surface.
Related word forms
How swipe is actually used
The touchscreen and gesture senses are neutral and very common in contemporary English. The senses meaning to steal or to criticize are informal and often imply furtiveness, sharpness, or hostility. “Swipe left” and “swipe right” are conventional dating-app and social-media expressions, while “swipe at” can mean either a physical movement toward something or a verbal criticism.
Easily confused with swipe
To wipe is to clean or remove moisture from something, whereas to swipe is usually a quick sideways gesture or a touchscreen movement.
A sweep is generally a broader movement across a surface, while a swipe is typically quicker and more deliberate.