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 Vietnamese staple’s light but perfectly salty broth, tender slices of flank beef, and crisp bean sprouts and cilantro, along with a generous squeeze of lime and sriracha, does wonders to perk me up from a bad hangover—or a cold, a flu or really any ailment.
—
Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
There’s a salary-cap hangover of the big contracts of Tua Tagovailoa and Bradley Chubb.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
As Academy Award winners soak in the glow of their golden statues, party guests nurse hangovers, and the industry starts predicting what will be next year’s biggest films, the 2026 Oscars ceremony has come to a close.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026
Magritte with a Hollywood hangover.
—Michael Slenske, HollywoodReporter, 14 Mar. 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.
Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
There’s a salary-cap hangover of the big contracts of Tua Tagovailoa and Bradley Chubb.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026
As Academy Award winners soak in the glow of their golden statues, party guests nurse hangovers, and the industry starts predicting what will be next year’s biggest films, the 2026 Oscars ceremony has come to a close.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026
Magritte with a Hollywood hangover.
—Michael Slenske, HollywoodReporter, 14 Mar. 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 18 Mar. 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
