One-Liner
noun /ˈwʌn.laɪ.nər/ — A short, witty joke delivered in a single sentence.
Definition
A brief, self-contained joke or witty remark delivered in a single sentence — relying on concision, timing, and often a surprising turn or double meaning. The distilled form of comic expression: everything unnecessary removed, every word doing work.
Beyond the definition
A great one-liner is a small implosion — the setup and punchline collapsed into a single sentence, the surprise detonated in the smallest possible space. Comedy as compression.
Origin & history
From 'one' + 'line'. Associated with vaudeville and stand-up comedy; popularized by comedians like Henny Youngman and later Mitch Hedberg.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Mitch Hedberg's one-liners worked because they took ordinary observations and found the exact angle that made them weird.
She kept a notebook of one-liners she'd never use — the jokes too sharp for polite company, too true not to write down.
The best one-liners hold the setup and punchline in equal tension until the final word tips the balance.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “One-Liner” when the meaning fits your context: A brief, self-contained joke or witty remark delivered in a single sentence — relying on concision, timing, and often a surprising turn or double meaning. The distilled form of comic expression: everything unnecessary removed, every word doing work.
Synonyms
joke, quip, epigram (comedic)
Antonyms
monologue, long-form comedy
Related words
One-Liner vs quip
A one-liner is a short, structured joke, often a punchline delivered alone. A quip is a spontaneous, witty remark made during a conversation.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Clever and Sharp Wit
A face shows a small, subtle smile as an adult delivers a clever remark.
The quick, sharp, and concise nature of the expression highlights the one-liner, which relies on removing everything unnecessary to deliver a punchy and surprising observation in a single instant.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "One-Liner" mean?
One-Liner is noun meaning: A short, witty joke delivered in a single sentence.. A brief, self-contained joke or witty remark delivered in a single sentence — relying on concision, timing, and often a surprising turn or double meaning. The distilled form of comic expression: everything unnecessary removed, every word doing work.
Where does the word "One-Liner" come from?
From 'one' + 'line'. Associated with vaudeville and stand-up comedy; popularized by comedians like Henny Youngman and later Mitch Hedberg.