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

• lead
• principal
• star

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

Tight end Colston Loveland, the headliner of the Bears’ draft class, already appreciates Johnson’s high-energy approach. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2025

In the headliner, UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad looks to defend his title for the first time against Jack Della Maddalena. —Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025

Past headliners have included John Legend, NAS, Mary J. Blige, Chance the Rapper, Maxwell, Jill Scott, and more. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 7 May 2025

Grammy winner Gretchen Wilson has joined the series, which comes from creators Taylor Sheridan and Blake Shelton and follows several up-and-coming musical acts going on tour as the openers for headliner Keith Urban. —Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2025

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