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.
Their first American press conference at JFK's arrivals hall is unforgettable for their witty one-liners. Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024 Though not a traditional holiday movie, the Christmas argument surrounding Die Hard only adds to its fun, marrying the Christmas Eve setting, quippy one-liners, and cat-and-mouse tension. Janey Tracey, EW.com, 29 Nov. 2024 The Return of Jiminy Glick At a buoyant seventy-four, Martin Short is keeping the art of the one-liner going strong. Ian Crouch, The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2024 Since joining the cast in Season 2, Dr. Heavenly has consistently delivered iconic one-liners, loyalty to her friends, and a willingness to dive headfirst into drama. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 27 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near one-liner

Cite this Entry

“One-liner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one-liner. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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