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

While partisan politics, pandemic hangover and other factors have colored people’s attitudes, experts say inflation appears to be the single biggest economic albatross for Biden. —Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024

Likelihood the Niners get to the Super Bowl next season and avoid the typical hangover? —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2024

Don’t miss the island’s national dish, oil down, a hearty bowl of stewed meats and provisions that can cure any hangover. —Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2024

Tiger also likely has a rough 2021 valuation hangover. —Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024

Weed-based, alcohol-free beers come with the promise of reducing, if not eliminating, hangovers. —Michael McGough, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024

This vulnerability could be a hangover from our parents’ and grandparents’ generations. —Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Mar. 2024

The soup has long been touted as a hangover cure and is much a part of Southern California’s landscape as coastal beaches and the San Bernardino Mountains. —Sarah Mosqueda, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024

Economists had expected spending to be flat, given the typical holiday spending hangover and the 0.8% drop recorded in January’s retail sales data. —Alicia Wallace, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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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