sleeper

noun

sleep·​er ˈslē-pər 

1

: one that sleeps

2

: a piece of timber, stone, or steel on or near the ground to support a superstructure, keep railroad rails in place, or receive floor joists : stringpiece

3

: sleeping car

4

: someone or something unpromising or unnoticed that suddenly attains prominence or value

the low-budget film became the summer's sleeper

5

: children's pajamas usually with feet

—usually used in plural

6

chiefly British : a small earring or stud worn to keep the hole of a pierced ear from closing

7

: mole entry 2 sense 4

Synonyms

• dozer
• slumberer

Examples of sleeper in a Sentence

Sleepers were awakened by the sound of a loud crash.

He may turn out to be the sleeper in this year's election.

The movie was the summer's sleeper.

The movie became the sleeper hit of the summer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Baby is a poor sleeper, so the mother has to tend to him day and night while also running the household. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024

Is Rachel finally becoming aware of just how much of a sleeper Andy really is? —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 11 Dec. 2024

Junebug was Adams’s springboard, a Sundance sleeper that yielded her first Oscar nomination and led to a string of perky motormouth roles. —Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024

At the top end of the market, England and Wales’ first luxury sleeper train, ​​The Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train, UK, will hit the rails in July 2025. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sleeper

• heavy sleeper
• light sleeper
• sleeper cell
• sleeper sofa
• sound sleeper

Kids Definition

sleeper

noun

sleep·​er ˈslē-pər 

1

: one that sleeps

2

: a horizontal beam to support something on or near ground level

3

: sleeping car

4

: someone or something considered unlikely to succeed that suddenly becomes successful