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

Cuba Press, a news agency with six typewriters located in the house of the poet Raúl Rivero, managed to report on the national hangover, as did Habana Press, an agency directed by Joaquín Torres, who dictated his articles over the phone to the exiles running Cubanet and Radio Martí. —Abraham Jiménez Enoa, The Dial, 19 May 2026

So natural that the Thunder hardly nursed any championship hangover amid overlapping injuries. —Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

As expected, Tuesday’s report showed an unusually high spike in housing prices that was effectively a methodology hangover from the most recent federal government shutdown. —Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 14 May 2026

The Seahawks, meanwhile, could send an early message about avoiding any kind of Super Bowl hangover. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 14 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hangover

• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• holdover
• layover
• leftover
• makeover
• moreover
• passover
• pullover

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Kids 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