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
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
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
Their fluffy down alternative microfiber filling is designed to support side, stomach, and back sleepers.
—
Isabel Garcia, People.com, 1 May 2025
Her mattress review notes that any kind of sleeper—side sleepers, stomach sleepers, and back sleepers alike—would like this supportive style.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2025
The sale includes sleeper sofas and modular designs in corduroy and leather.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
New nocturnal routes have launched, including a Brussels to Berlin sleeper.
—Lea Lane, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleeper
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Isabel Garcia, People.com, 1 May 2025
Her mattress review notes that any kind of sleeper—side sleepers, stomach sleepers, and back sleepers alike—would like this supportive style.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2025
The sale includes sleeper sofas and modular designs in corduroy and leather.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
New nocturnal routes have launched, including a Brussels to Berlin sleeper.
—Lea Lane, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleeper
Cite this Entry
“Sleeper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleeper. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sleeper
noun
sleep·er
ˈslē-pər 
1
: one that sleeps
2
: a horizontal beam to support something on or near ground level
3
4
: someone or something considered unlikely to succeed that suddenly becomes successful
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