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
Mistakes are made, and there may be sleepers awaiting your eagle eye.
—
Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
An editor favorite, the Buffy Cloud Pillow is made of cooling materials and is designed for back, side, and stomach sleepers.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 27 Mar. 2024
The Lightweight is perfect for hot sleepers and warmer months, their All-Season is ideal for most sleepers all year ’round and the Ultra-Warm is best for cool sleepers in colder months.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 26 Mar. 2024
Luckily, travel pillow technology has never been better, with options for every type of sitter and sleeper.
—Eric Rosen, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
Troxel emphasized the importance of spinal alignment for side sleepers.
—Casey Delbasso, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024
Overall, our lab noted that these were a great find for hot sleepers.
—Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
The movie, made on a budget of $50,000, was too logy and inept to be a real scandal, or any sort of theatrical sleeper hit.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024
The sleeper hit won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, earned her a Golden Globe nomination, and won her an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female.
—Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2024
Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
An editor favorite, the Buffy Cloud Pillow is made of cooling materials and is designed for back, side, and stomach sleepers.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 27 Mar. 2024
The Lightweight is perfect for hot sleepers and warmer months, their All-Season is ideal for most sleepers all year ’round and the Ultra-Warm is best for cool sleepers in colder months.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 26 Mar. 2024
Luckily, travel pillow technology has never been better, with options for every type of sitter and sleeper.
—Eric Rosen, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
Troxel emphasized the importance of spinal alignment for side sleepers.
—Casey Delbasso, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024
Overall, our lab noted that these were a great find for hot sleepers.
—Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
The movie, made on a budget of $50,000, was too logy and inept to be a real scandal, or any sort of theatrical sleeper hit.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2024
The sleeper hit won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, earned her a Golden Globe nomination, and won her an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female.
—Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sleeper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of sleeper was
in the 12th century
Phrases Containing sleeper
Dictionary Entries Near sleeper
Cite this Entry
“Sleeper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleeper. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
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
4
: someone or something considered unlikely to succeed that suddenly becomes successful
More from Merriam-Webster on sleeper
Nglish: Translation of sleeper for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sleeper
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