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
Airy memory foam and copper-infused foam layers above the coils are designed to keep sleepers cool.
—
Jaylyn Pruitt, Health, 21 Feb. 2025
In great health and a good eater and sleeper, Skylar is learning to advocate for herself and how to express her feelings when something is bothering her.
—Mare Staff, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025
Caldwell would be one of my top sleeper choices in the middle rounds to make an instant impact.
—Saad Yousuf, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025
Its cool-to-the-touch feel is ideal for hot sleepers, and the cover is machine washable.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleeper
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Jaylyn Pruitt, Health, 21 Feb. 2025
In great health and a good eater and sleeper, Skylar is learning to advocate for herself and how to express her feelings when something is bothering her.
—Mare Staff, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025
Caldwell would be one of my top sleeper choices in the middle rounds to make an instant impact.
—Saad Yousuf, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025
Its cool-to-the-touch feel is ideal for hot sleepers, and the cover is machine washable.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 12 Feb. 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 1 Mar. 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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