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
Last but not least, the hypoallergenic, breathable cotton cover is the finishing touch to help sleepers rest cooler and avoid the sniffles.
—
Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2025
Perhaps the biggest sleeper among the award-winners was Lang Van’s Bib Gourmand honor, although Charlotteans have seen the restaurant in the spotlight all year.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 4 Nov. 2025
Sold around the world by MK2 Films, Panahi’s film was released in French theaters by Memento and has been a sleeper hit, selling over 600,000 admissions – an impressive box office performance for a foreign-language film — since its Oct. 1 bow.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
The Silence of the Lambs was a sleeper hit, grossing more than $270 million worldwide and winning big at the Academy Awards.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleeper
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Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2025
Perhaps the biggest sleeper among the award-winners was Lang Van’s Bib Gourmand honor, although Charlotteans have seen the restaurant in the spotlight all year.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 4 Nov. 2025
Sold around the world by MK2 Films, Panahi’s film was released in French theaters by Memento and has been a sleeper hit, selling over 600,000 admissions – an impressive box office performance for a foreign-language film — since its Oct. 1 bow.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
The Silence of the Lambs was a sleeper hit, grossing more than $270 million worldwide and winning big at the Academy Awards.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Nov. 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 9 Nov. 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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