English Reference

Word

liner

Phoneticslin·er, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈɫaɪnɝ/

UK/lˈaɪnɐ/

Definitions

01a large ship

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

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

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

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

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

02a protective layer

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

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

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

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

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

03makeup

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun

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

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

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

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

Synonyms

eyelinerlipliner

04in compounds

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

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

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

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

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

05baseball

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Sports American English

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

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

“The batter hit a sharp liner right to the shortstop.”

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

Synonyms

line drive

Real-World Examples

“They “were in a bin liner … inside was a clear plastic evidence bag”, she said.”
The Guardian 15 Aug 2026

Etymology

From line (verb) + -er.

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

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

Word family

Domain

Nautical

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

QR code

englishreference.com/q/liner

English Reference