one-liner

noun

one-lin·​er ˌwən-ˈlī-nər How to pronounce one-liner (audio)
1
: a very succinct joke or witticism
2
: a succinct or meaningful and especially accurate statement

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Then a rambunctious spitfire in the Georgia pageant circuit, the one-liner birthed her nickname and helped land her a spinoff reality show. Janine Rubenstein, People.com, 13 May 2025 These are useful only to reporters looking for one-liner clickbait. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025 Pirro, known widely across the cable news world for her sharp one-liners and fiery takes, has landed in hot water with her commentary in the past, sometimes with her own network. Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 10 May 2025 Expect the one-liners to be as devastating as their impact on the global economy. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for one-liner

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of one-liner was in 1962

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“One-liner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one-liner. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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