English Reference
noun

liner

n.
US /ˈɫaɪnɝ/ UK /lˈaɪnɐ/ lin·er UK spelling liners

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    a very large ship used for carrying many passengers across the ocean.

    a large commercial passenger ship, especially one operating on a regular scheduled route.

    Simple

    The luxury liner sailed across the Atlantic in just five days.

    In context

    The golden age of the ocean liner saw massive vessels competing for the Blue Riband, a trophy awarded for the fastest transatlantic crossing.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    a layer of material placed inside something to protect it or keep it clean.

    a removable or permanent internal lining designed to protect the outer structure or contain contents.

    Simple

    You should put a plastic liner in the bin to make it easier to empty.

    In context

    The technician replaced the cylinder liner to ensure the internal combustion engine maintained optimal compression during operation.

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

    a type of makeup used to draw a line around the eyes or lips.

    a cosmetic preparation, such as eyeliner or lipliner, applied to define the contours of the eyes or mouth.

    Simple

    She used a black liner to make her eyes look more dramatic for the party.

    In context

    The makeup artist recommended a waterproof liner to prevent smudging during the long outdoor photo shoot.

    eyelinerlipliner
  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate

    used with a number to describe how many lines a joke or a story has.

    used in combination to denote an item, typically a joke or a written piece, consisting of a specified number of lines.

    Simple

    He is famous for his funny one-liners that make everyone laugh instantly.

    In context

    The comedian's set was comprised entirely of rapid-fire one-liners, leaving the audience little time to recover between jokes.

  5. 05 C1 Advanced American English Sport

    a ball that is hit very hard and low in a straight line.

    a batted ball that travels low and fast in a line nearly parallel to the ground.

    Simple

    The batter hit a sharp liner right to the shortstop.

    In context

    The pitcher narrowly avoided the liner, which screamed past his ear at over a hundred miles per hour.

    line drive

They “were in a bin liner … inside was a clear plastic evidence bag”, she said.

The Guardian· 15 Aug 2026

Etymology 1

From line (verb) + -er.

Etymology 2

From line (noun) + -er (relational suffix) or -er (measurement suffix) (sense 5).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated