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.
Mean Girls quickly became a cultural touchstone with its sharp humor, one-liners and its timeless take on the teen experience. Jane Lacroix, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024 Rolling her eyes, pulling faces and delivering one-liners out of the corner of her mouth, Lauper is a naturally hilarious human who effortlessly commands an audience’s attention. Joe Lynch, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2024 Her delivery of various one-liners and zingers is one of the film’s highlights, potentially positioning her for a first-time Oscar nomination in the best supporting actress category. Clayton Davis, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024 Blade seemed like an innocuous action thriller when it was released in 1998 but the movie, exuding tough attitude and replete with one-liners, launched a trilogy that has gained in stature and influence since the final installment came out in 2004. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Oct. 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 21 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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