noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   The headlining band or performer at a concert or similar event; the best-known and first billed musician, comedian, etc., often performing as the final act of the evening.

   "I was ahead of my deadline so I watched "Flatliners," about some serious deadliners with a headliner complex."

2. 2
   The interior fabric covering the ceiling-like area inside of a vehicle.
3. 3
   a performer who receives prominent billing wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms

danseur nobledivafeature attractionfirst tragedianheadlineheavy lead

Example

More examples

"I'm here to see the support band. I'm not fussed about the headliner."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From headline (verb) + -er.

Etymology 2

From head + liner.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.