one-liner

noun

one-lin·​er ˌwən-ˈlī-nər 

1

: a very succinct joke or witticism

2

: a succinct or meaningful and especially accurate statement

Synonyms of one-liner

• joke
• laugh
• joking

Examples of one-liner in a Sentence

the senator deftly inserted some smart one-liners into an otherwise sober speech

Recent Examples on the Web

The Beale Street-sampling trunk rattler is bright-eyed and fulgent, full of Kell’s catchy ass one-liners that stick because of her unique drawl. — Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026

Estelle Harris played Estelle Costanza, the loud and quick-witted mom to George and wife to Frank, who was always full of hilarious one-liners. — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

Creators online have been known to break down old episodes, give their take on characters or repeat one-liners only fans would know. — Bianca Harris, USA Today, 15 July 2026

The transitions from dialogue to songs to dances to corny one-liners is so fluid that the show is like one long dance. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for one-liner

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