swiped

Swiped is the past tense and past participle of the verb swipe. In general use, to swipe means to move something quickly with a sweeping motion, or to strike a blow. In common slang, swipe also means to take something without permission or to steal. The phrase “swipe card” or “swipe an ID” describes using a magnetic-stripe card by sliding it through a reader.

In technology and everyday devices, swipe refers to a gesture on touch-sensitive screens: dragging a finger across the surface to perform an action, such as unlocking a device, navigating a carousel, or dismissing notifications. The term is widely used in user interface design and mobile apps to describe such gesture-based interactions.

In social and dating apps, swipe has become a cultural verb: users swipe left or right to indicate interest; a right swipe commonly signals approval, while a left swipe signals disinterest. The concept of swiping has influenced design choices and discussions about modern online dating culture and user experience.

Swiped can describe items that have been stolen or removed, as in “the wallet was swiped.” It can also describe data or information obtained by unauthorized means, such as card data swipes or other security breaches, used in discussions of theft and security.

Origin and usage: the broader verb swipe derives from a general sense of sweeping motion; the slang sense of stealing is American and dates to the 20th century. Over time, the word has expanded into technology and culture, acquiring multiple related meanings.