Sleeper Meaning
/ˈsliːpə(ɹ)/Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounSomeone who sleeps.
nounThat which lies dormant, as a law.
Sentence Examples
I'm a light sleeper.
As one grows old, one becomes a light sleeper.
CEFR Practice Quiz
In the quiet dormitory, every ____ was undisturbed by the storm outside.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He is such a heavy ____ that even a loud thunderstorm outside wouldn't wake him up at night.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English sleper, equivalent to sleep + -er.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Waveless mattresses are for those who prefer a more stationary [night's sleep]; semiwaveless for those who want a slight rocking motion, and free-flow for sleepers who want the feel of a boat. All beds come with temperature controls, and king- and queen-size models offer dual controls."
— 1986 August 28, Patricia Leigh Brown, “17 YEARS OF THE WATER BED: A SOCIAL HISTORY; CHECKING OUT REFINEMENTS”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 03 Feb 2018:
"Therefore let penal laws, if they have been sleepers of long, or if they be grown unfit for the present time, be by wise judged confined in the execution […]"
— 1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Judicature”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC:
"The object of these provisions is to prevent insertion of "jokers" or "sleepers" in bills and securing passage under the false color of the title."
— 1958, Duncan Leroy Kennedy, Bill drafting, page 12:
"We are up against the pros; and pros who have been involved in this kind of activity for many years. […] The public apathy today is disturbing — few realize, Mr. Chairman, that there are sleepers in this country and we know that they are able to manipulate at will behind the scenes."
— 1969, United States Congress, Departments of Treasury and Post Office and Executive Office Appropriations for 1970: Hearings, (91st Congress, First Session, parts 2-3), page 479:
"His skull earring had been replaced by a small gold sleeper. […] Fiona, who also had pierced ears, remarked on his sleeper. “Doesn’t Wilton allow pierced ears?” she asked. “No way!” said Leslie. “Rules about everything. But I wanted to keep my options open, as you might say. No one’s made me take it out yet. […]”"
— 1984, Diana Wynne Jones, Fire and Hemlock:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
In the quiet dormitory, every ____ was undisturbed by the storm outside.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He is such a heavy ____ that even a loud thunderstorm outside wouldn't wake him up at night.