ENGLISH
REFERENCE

liner

n.
US //ˈɫaɪnɝ// UK //lˈaɪnɐ// lin·er
  1. 1 a large ship (n.)
    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.

    Example

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

    Example

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

  2. 2 a protective layer (n.)
    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.

    Example

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

    Example

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

Show 3 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 makeup (n.)
    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.

    Example

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

    Example

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

  2. 4 in compounds (n.)
    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.

    Example

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

    Example

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

  3. 5 baseball (n.)
    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.

    Example

    The batter hit a sharp liner right to the shortstop.

    Example

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

    • line drive
Etymology 1

From line (verb) + -er.

Etymology 2

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

Word family

© 2026 English Reference