headliner

noun

head·​lin·​er ˈhed-ˌlī-nər 

1

: the principal performer in a show : star

broadly : personality sense 4b

2

: fabric covering the inside of the roof of an automobile

Synonyms of headliner

• star
• principal

Examples of headliner in a Sentence

He was the headliner at a local night club.

a headliner on variety shows in the early days of TV

Recent Examples on the Web

The show will feature global headliners including Marc Anthony, Christian Nodal, Farruko, Wisin and Yandel, alongside special showcases from Colombian pop-rock band Morat and singer-songwriter Camilo. — Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

This year’s headliners were Noah Kahan, the Strokes, Skrillex and Rüfüs Du Sol. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026

Ludlow considered abandoning the beach fest and moving the headline shows into the Greek Theatre in Griffith Park and Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, which led to several headliners dropping out. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

With schedules posted everywhere and online, audiences can easily follow the fest’s headliners across town, popping in and out of gold-rush hangouts and gambling halls. — Jacqueline Kehoe, Midwest Living, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for headliner

• airliner
• combiner
• designer
• diviner
• eyeliner
• pulvinar
• recliner
• refiner
• diner
• finer
• liner
• miner