Colloquial Variant guide

wipe up

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To dry utensils, dishes etc. that have been washed.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Australian, British, intransitive

Examples

  • You're not watching TV until you've wiped up!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: dry up

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To completely remove spilled liquid or solids, typically by hand using a dishcloth.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I'll wipe up that spilled milk.
  • First let me wipe up all these bread crumbs.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To clean thoroughly, particularly with a dishcloth or rag.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I always wipe up the counter before making dinner.
  • Please wipe up the kitchen at the end of your shift.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: clean up

4

verb

Meaning 4

To defeat (an opponent) thoroughly; trounce.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, figuratively, slang, transitive

Examples

  • We're going to wipe up your team just like we wiped up the Canaries.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

to wash or wipe with or as if with a mop

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Mop the hallway now
  • He mopped her forehead with a towel

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: mop up, mop

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: absorb, suck, imbibe, soak up, sop up, suck up, draw, take in, take up

Narrower terms: swab, swob, sponge

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: essuyer — to clean thoroughly particularly with a cloth
  • Old French: essuier — to clean thoroughly particularly with a cloth
  • German: aufwischen — to clean thoroughly particularly with a cloth
  • Māori: opeope — to clean thoroughly particularly with a cloth
  • Polish: wycierać — to clean thoroughly particularly with a cloth
  • Polish: wytrzeć — to clean thoroughly particularly with a cloth
  • Portuguese: limpar — to clean thoroughly particularly with a cloth