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 Louder Than Life festival returned to Louisville with headliners like Iron Maiden, My Chemical Romance, and Limp Bizkit. — Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Sep. 2026

These stages, often tucked away from the noise of the headliners, tend to be a trove of delights, giving up-and-comers a chance to play to the biggest crowds of their careers. — Stuart Heritage, Air Mail, 19 Sep. 2026

Other unique touches include shell carpeting, a Starlight headliner, and a dashboard that features abalone cutouts surrounding its clock. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2026

Follow live updates here As cool as the lineup is, this is the ninth consecutive year the festival won’t have a female headliner. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 18 Sep. 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