sleeper

• Substantiv mit mehreren Bedeutungen: eine schlafende Person; ein verdeckter Agent oder Saboteur, der undercover in einem fremden Land lebt; etwas oder jemand, das/der unerwartet erfolgreich wird; ein querliegender Balken, der Eisenbahnschienen trägt; ein Schlafwagen; ein Kinderpyjama mit Füßen; ein Möbelstück, das sich in ein Bett verwandeln lässt; ein grundelartiger tropischer Fisch; oder ein unerwarteter Hit.

A noun with multiple meanings, including a person who is sleeping, a spy or saboteur living undercover in a foreign country, an unexpected achiever of success, a cross brace supporting railway rails, a passenger car with sleeping berths, children's pajamas with feet, a piece of furniture convertible into a bed, a tropical fish resembling a goby, or an unexpected hit.

1. A sleeping personA2formal

   A person who is sleeping or rests.

   Schlafender

   • The sleeper in the back row didn't hear the announcement.
   • She is a light sleeper and wakes up at the slightest noise.
   • The hotel provides comfortable beds for all sleepers.

   Synonymedozerresterslumberer

2. Undercover agentB2formal

   A spy or saboteur planted in a country who lives as a law-abiding citizen until activated by a prearranged signal.

   Schläfer

   • The intelligence agency uncovered a sleeper cell in the city.
   • He lived as a sleeper for years before being activated.
   • The sleeper was waiting for a signal to begin the operation.

3. Unexpected successB2informal

   An unexpected achiever of success, such as a movie, book, or product that becomes popular without much initial promotion.

   Überraschungserfolg

   • The indie film was a sleeper hit at the box office.
   • Her debut novel became a sleeper, selling millions of copies.
   • The game was a sleeper, gaining popularity months after release.

   Synonymedark horsesmash hitunderdog

4. Railway tieB1formalbritish

   One of the cross braces that support the rails on a railway track.

   Schwelle

   • The workers replaced the old sleepers on the railway line.
   • A wooden sleeper had rotted and needed to be changed.
   • The train tracks are secured to concrete sleepers.

   Synonymecrosstierailroad tietie

5. Sleeping carB1formal

   A passenger car on a train that has berths for sleeping.

   Schlafwagen

   • We booked a sleeper for the overnight journey.
   • The train has a comfortable sleeper with private compartments.
   • She slept soundly in the sleeper car.

   Synonymepullmansleeping car

6. Footed pajamasA2informalamerican

   Pajamas with feet, typically worn by children.

   Strampelanzug

   • The toddler wore a cute sleeper with dinosaur prints.
   • She bought a warm sleeper for her baby.
   • The child's sleeper had zippers for easy changing.