hangover
noun
hang·over
ˈhaŋ-ˌō-vər 
1
: something (such as a surviving custom) that remains from what is past
2
a
: disagreeable physical effects following heavy consumption of alcohol or the use of drugs
b
: a letdown following great excitement or excess
Did you know?
The effects of hangovers have been hanging around for ages. The word itself, however, has only been fermenting since the late 19th century. Originally, hangover described someone or something that remained or simply survived, but it was later distilled into common use as a word for the effects of overconsumption of alcohol or drugs. These days, hangover can also suggest an emotional letdown or an undesirable prolongation of notes or sounds from a loudspeaker.
Examples of hangover in a Sentence
She woke up with a hangover.
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite wrestling with a wicked hangover, Misty jumps at the chance to help Shauna.
—
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025
Common hangover symptoms include:2 Headache Sadness Fatigue Nausea Vomiting
Shakiness
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms occur as the body adjusts to a sudden decline in the chemicals that are components of alcohol.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 13 Feb. 2025
But, in a hangover from the country’s apartheid system of white minority rule that ended 30 years ago, white farmers own approximately three-quarters of South Africa’s land.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 10 Feb. 2025
Cue: blacking out on February 1 (and waking up with a raging hangover on February 2).
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hangover 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Erin Qualey, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025
Common hangover symptoms include:2 Headache Sadness Fatigue Nausea Vomiting
Shakiness
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms occur as the body adjusts to a sudden decline in the chemicals that are components of alcohol.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 13 Feb. 2025
But, in a hangover from the country’s apartheid system of white minority rule that ended 30 years ago, white farmers own approximately three-quarters of South Africa’s land.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 10 Feb. 2025
Cue: blacking out on February 1 (and waking up with a raging hangover on February 2).
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hangover
Dictionary Entries Near hangover
Cite this Entry
“Hangover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hangover. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hangover
noun
hang·over
ˈhaŋ-ˌō-vər
1
: something (as a surviving custom) that remains from what is past
2
: a sick uncomfortable state that comes from drinking too many drinks of alcoholic beverage
Medical Definition
hangover
noun
hang·over
-ˌō-vər
: disagreeable physical effects (as headache or nausea) following heavy consumption of alcohol or the use of drugs
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