sleeper

noun

sleep·er ˈslē-pər

: one that sleeps

: 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

: sleeping car

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

the low-budget film became the summer's sleeper

: children's pajamas usually with feet

—usually used in plural

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

: mole entry 2 sense 4

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 This medical-grade solution alleviates shoulder pressure, providing a more restful and comfortable sleep for side sleepers. —

Theresa Johnson, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023 Dreamcloud Dreamcloud is offering 40% off all mattresses, including our expert’s top choice for back sleepers and light sleepers alike. —

Samantha Sharf, wsj.com, 17 Nov. 2023 The only downside is that there is limited sizing: There’s no footed sleeper or sizes for infants and no matching pants available for adults. —

Jessica Booth, Parents, 14 Nov. 2023 Wang does not recommend latex pillows for stomach sleepers. —

Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2023 Think architectural post fencing (aka: sleeper screening) dotted along a wave of grasses giving a Sea Ranch coastal vibe, or stone pathways softened with a mix of silver and sage ground covers offering a painterly palette full of texture. —

Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 18 Oct. 2023 Hot sleepers and those living in warm climates will love Avocado’s Organic Hemp Sheets. —

Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2023 Rockers are distinct from inclined sleepers like the Fisher-Price Rock ’n Play, which was recalled in 2019 and has been reportedly linked to about 100 deaths. —

Suzy Khimm, NBC News, 11 Oct. 2023 Find it on Amazon Wake Easier With This Sunrise Alarm Clock This sunrise alarm clock mimics the sunrise to gently wake up sleepers in the morning in the most natural way. —

Taylor Gumm, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2023 See More

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.