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
The long hangover of COVID was brushed aside like yesterday’s nightmare.
—
Pamela Paul, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
After receiving angel funding in 2004, Chaffee says, things slowed down because of the dot com crash hangover, and the company was kept afloat by friends and family.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN, 9 Oct. 2024
Run clubs provide an alternative to a new generation of daters who are sick of swiping, over the hangovers, and craving authentic connection.
—Arielle Domb, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024
In Booth’s experience, cheaper wines tend to taste, well, cheap, touched with a sweetness hinting at the hangover to come.
—Megan Wahn, Bon Appétit, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hangover 
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show current usage.
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Pamela Paul, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
After receiving angel funding in 2004, Chaffee says, things slowed down because of the dot com crash hangover, and the company was kept afloat by friends and family.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN, 9 Oct. 2024
Run clubs provide an alternative to a new generation of daters who are sick of swiping, over the hangovers, and craving authentic connection.
—Arielle Domb, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024
In Booth’s experience, cheaper wines tend to taste, well, cheap, touched with a sweetness hinting at the hangover to come.
—Megan Wahn, Bon Appétit, 11 Oct. 2024
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 29 Nov. 2024.
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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