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
Using a Negroni and up to two glasses of Malbec, get through pre-appetizer chitchat, group ordering, salad, entrées, dessert, all the way to the Uber ride home, without oversharing or otherwise saying anything that will result in an emotional hangover the next morning.
—
Charles Yu, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Like most Bay Area transit agencies, the VTA – although reporting a rebound in ridership – is projecting multi-million dollar deficits in the coming years, a hangover from pandemic-era ridership losses.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
The Angels wasted little time in demonstrating that there would be no hangover from their heartbreaking loss a night earlier.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026
The team experienced an emotional hangover after the regular season-ending injuries to Reaves and Doncic.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hangover
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Charles Yu, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Like most Bay Area transit agencies, the VTA – although reporting a rebound in ridership – is projecting multi-million dollar deficits in the coming years, a hangover from pandemic-era ridership losses.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
The Angels wasted little time in demonstrating that there would be no hangover from their heartbreaking loss a night earlier.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 15 Apr. 2026
The team experienced an emotional hangover after the regular season-ending injuries to Reaves and Doncic.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hangover
Cite this Entry
“Hangover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hangover. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
