To remove something by wiping; especially to dry tears or eliminate a mark, memory, or emotion.
To clean something up by wiping, or to make sad feelings or memories disappear.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To remove tears, sweat, or a small mark from a surface by wiping with a cloth, finger, or tissue.
"She wiped away her tears and tried to smile for the camera."
He wiped away a tear as he described the sacrifice of fallen soldiers.
— Widely reported paraphrase of Barack Obama at multiple memorial events, documented in US press coverage, 2009–2016
To eliminate or erase something abstract such as a memory, feeling, or wrongdoing.
"No amount of money can wipe away the suffering they caused."
To move something away by wiping — fully transparent.
To clean something up by wiping, or to make sad feelings or memories disappear.
Common in both literal and emotional contexts. 'Wipe away tears' is a very common fixed collocation. Figurative use ('wipe away the past') is also established. The movement implied is gentle and directed.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "wipe away" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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