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
More specifically, high-protein meals such as in the Paleo diet show good effects on sleep, while poor sleepers get their energy more from carbohydrates and fats.
—
Literary Hub, 12 June 2025
The two-seat cockpit also gains extra space ... but no mention of a coffin-like pop-up rooftop sleeper pod.
—New Atlas, 12 June 2025
According to its website, the aircraft features 48 sleeper seats with up to 53 inches of legroom between rows, 20 more first-class-style seats with up to 50 inches of pitch, and 10 additional seats positioned around three tables.
—Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Virtually every corner is accounted for, from light fixtures to tabletop essentials to sleeper sofas.
—Erika Owen, Vogue, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleeper
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Literary Hub, 12 June 2025
The two-seat cockpit also gains extra space ... but no mention of a coffin-like pop-up rooftop sleeper pod.
—New Atlas, 12 June 2025
According to its website, the aircraft features 48 sleeper seats with up to 53 inches of legroom between rows, 20 more first-class-style seats with up to 50 inches of pitch, and 10 additional seats positioned around three tables.
—Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Virtually every corner is accounted for, from light fixtures to tabletop essentials to sleeper sofas.
—Erika Owen, Vogue, 6 June 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 16 Jun. 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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