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
But as the two brothers nurse their hangovers in Episode 6, more memories flood back.
—
Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025
The people at Wor Flags have been planning their Wembley displays for weeks and, as long as the hangovers have subsided after their Saturday night out in central London’s Covent Garden district, a black-and-white Geordie choir will chant their way through the match.
—Gregg Evans, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
Consumer spending was expected to drop off in January: There’s typically a post-holiday expenditure hangover to start the year; plus, last month’s retail sales data came in far below forecasts.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
To avoid the effects of a meeting hangover, those
...
—Brent N. Reed, Steven G. Rogelberg, Harvard Business Review, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hangover
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show current usage.
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Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025
The people at Wor Flags have been planning their Wembley displays for weeks and, as long as the hangovers have subsided after their Saturday night out in central London’s Covent Garden district, a black-and-white Geordie choir will chant their way through the match.
—Gregg Evans, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
Consumer spending was expected to drop off in January: There’s typically a post-holiday expenditure hangover to start the year; plus, last month’s retail sales data came in far below forecasts.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
To avoid the effects of a meeting hangover, those
...
—Brent N. Reed, Steven G. Rogelberg, Harvard Business Review, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hangover
Cite this Entry
“Hangover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hangover. Accessed 1 Apr. 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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