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
The sheets are made from a soft microfiber material that’s airy enough for stuffy summer nights and year-round hot sleepers.
—
Clara McMahon, People.com, 30 July 2025
Hot sleepers need the holy trinity of queen-sized cooling pillows, a cooling duvet cover, and this cooling throw blanket with chilly Q-max technology.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 July 2025
Song’s followup The Materialists has been a sleeper hit this year, earning $52.1 million globally and starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2025
Earth-friendly materials like cotton typically promote airflow to keep hot sleepers comfortable and are ideal for those who are sensitive to certain allergens.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sleeper
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Clara McMahon, People.com, 30 July 2025
Hot sleepers need the holy trinity of queen-sized cooling pillows, a cooling duvet cover, and this cooling throw blanket with chilly Q-max technology.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 July 2025
Song’s followup The Materialists has been a sleeper hit this year, earning $52.1 million globally and starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal.
—Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2025
Earth-friendly materials like cotton typically promote airflow to keep hot sleepers comfortable and are ideal for those who are sensitive to certain allergens.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 23 July 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 4 Aug. 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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