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
That all-natural construction gives it the sweet spot of comfort—cozy enough for those rare nights when the temperature dips below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but still breathable for hot sleepers who don’t want to overheat.
—
Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 Nov. 2025
It's made of 100% cotton that is moisture-wicking, lightweight, and ideal for hot sleepers.
—Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Nov. 2025
After an hour or two, the sleepers were gone.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Berg gets a good night’s sleep because of its Goldilocks blend of breathable comfort and sustainability, which go along nicely with its impressive durability and cooling gel memory foam that is ideal for hot sleepers.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleeper
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Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 Nov. 2025
It's made of 100% cotton that is moisture-wicking, lightweight, and ideal for hot sleepers.
—Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Nov. 2025
After an hour or two, the sleepers were gone.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Berg gets a good night’s sleep because of its Goldilocks blend of breathable comfort and sustainability, which go along nicely with its impressive durability and cooling gel memory foam that is ideal for hot sleepers.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 21 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 2 Dec. 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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