swipe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "swipe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to touching or sliding a finger across a screen or surface, often in reference to mobile devices or payment methods. Example: "To unlock your phone, simply swipe up from the bottom of the screen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 10.52am BST10 52 20th over: England 105-8 (Gunn 7, Shrubsole 0) Gunn does her best to swipe the ball away, but she can't find the rope.

The Guardian - Sport

The Telegraph man even managed to get in another digressive swipe, bringing up again the first night of Cause Celebre, starring Anne-Marie Duff, when the Independent's "old timer" slept all the way through the performance.

The Guardian

But on iOS 5 (available across those 200m devices, remember) you just swipe downwards from the menu bar and you get a view on everything that's changed, with granular detail including what emails have come in (so you can go to them individually) or what events there are to deal with and so on.

The Guardian - Tech

Graeme Swann left the international cricket stage with a swipe at what he sees as a lack of humility among certain fellow professionals.

The Guardian - Sport

On top of the veiled swipe at Kendall, Cooper then warned against those using stigmatising language about benefit claimants, just days after Burnham talked about the need to address the perception that Labour gives an "easy ride" to those who want something for nothing.

The Guardian

In a swipe at David Cameron's plans for a renegotiation and in/out referendum by 2017, Blair will call on pro-Europeans to "make the debate more than about the repatriation of certain competencies and rules".

The Guardian

In a swipe at his ecclesiastical critics, he wrote: "I know that some disagree with those policies – including a number within the Church of England.

The Guardian

This is not a swipe at Cook, but at a wider sense of systemic obfuscation.

The Guardian - Sport

His public anointment of his granddaughter was seen as another swipe at his daughter.

The Guardian

In a swipe at traditionalists in his old party – and Ukip members tempted to look to the past – he said he emphatically rejected the reactionary politics of the Tea party.

The Guardian

He takes me through a swipe door to the central ward, where perhaps a dozen doctors and nurses are gathering for the morning's clinical handover.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To be more accurate and descriptive, specify the direction of the swipe (e.g., "swipe up", "swipe down", "swipe left", "swipe right").

Common error

While "swipe" can refer to stealing or a sweeping motion, reserve it primarily for actions involving touchscreens or card readers to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "swipe" functions as both a verb, describing the action of quickly moving a finger across a screen or using a card reader, and a noun, referring to the motion itself or a sweeping action. Ludwig confirms its versatility in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

29%

Tech

14%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "swipe" is a versatile term functioning as both a verb and a noun, commonly used to describe actions involving touchscreens or card readers, but can also refer to stealing or making a sweeping motion. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and technology. While generally neutral in register, it's best to reserve "swipe" primarily for touchscreen or card-related actions to avoid ambiguity. When needed, alternatives like ""slide"", ""snatch"", or "steal" can provide clarity in different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slide

Refers to a smooth, continuous movement across a surface, similar to the motion on a touchscreen but less specific.

snatch

Implies a quick, forceful taking, often in a surreptitious manner. It focuses on the act of grabbing something suddenly.

flick

A quick, light stroke or movement, like a short "swipe" on a screen.

scan

Describes the process of using a card reader, akin to "swipe" in a transactional context.

steal

Indicates taking something dishonestly, similar to one meaning of "swipe" but more direct and general.

sweep

Focuses on the broad, continuous motion, comparable to a wide hand movement but without implying digital interaction necessarily.

pass through

Conveys the act of moving an object through a reader or scanner, similar to swiping a card.

brush

A light touch or glancing contact, less forceful than a "swipe" but involving similar motion.

skim

To touch lightly in passing, or remove from a surface. In context, touching lightly a screen.

drag

Move (something) forcefully or heavily, often dragging it along the ground or other surface.

FAQs

How can I use "swipe" in a sentence related to mobile devices?

You can say, "Swipe left to see more options" or "To unlock the screen, "swipe up" from the bottom."

What is another way to say "swipe" when referring to stealing?

Alternatives include "pilfer", "snatch", or "filch", depending on the context and degree of formality.

What's the difference between "swipe" and "slide" in the context of using a touchscreen?

"Swipe" implies a faster, more deliberate motion across the screen, whereas ""slide"" suggests a smoother, more continuous movement. Although they are often interchangeable, "swipe" is the more common term in UI instructions.

How do I use "swipe" in the context of a credit card transaction?

You can say, "Please "swipe your card" at the terminal" or "The machine requires you to "swipe the card" for payment to proceed."