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.
The actor-writer-director, who is 31 and uses they/she pronouns, has spent the last decade or so as a niche internet presence, going viral periodically on Twitter (and then X) and TikTok with satirical front-facing videos and bone-dry one-liners. Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025 What followed was usually a setup from one of his co-stars followed by a snappy one-liner from Norm. Denise Petski, Deadline, 5 June 2025 Swanson, a committed libertarian, is known for his grumpiness and biting one-liners. Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025 Last season, the reality star earned rave reviews as the show's presenter, wowing Love Island USA fans with her impeccable outfits, witty one-liners and flirtatious charm. Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 29 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

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Cite this Entry

“One-liner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one-liner. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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