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
And the promise of transformation fades into a post-hype hangover.
—
Sol Rashidi, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
The anguish lacing through the satire-obsessed ’90s burns like a hangover, at the same time mocking and cherishing the inert residue of hope that history might keep moving forward, rather than oscillating stupidly between revolution and revanchism.
—Alice Bolin
june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Sun Sentinel While the sight of the sport’s biggest prize being filled with Budweiser may not have raised many eyebrows in the corporate offices of the NHL, Tkachuk hinted he had been warned against repeating some of last year’s victory hangover shenanigans.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2025
There’s lots of drinking, getting mistaken for a homeless person, calling others out on their crap while ignoring her own, dead-end jobs, trashy adventures, and many epic hangovers.
—Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hangover
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Sol Rashidi, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
The anguish lacing through the satire-obsessed ’90s burns like a hangover, at the same time mocking and cherishing the inert residue of hope that history might keep moving forward, rather than oscillating stupidly between revolution and revanchism.
—Alice Bolin
june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Sun Sentinel While the sight of the sport’s biggest prize being filled with Budweiser may not have raised many eyebrows in the corporate offices of the NHL, Tkachuk hinted he had been warned against repeating some of last year’s victory hangover shenanigans.
—Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2025
There’s lots of drinking, getting mistaken for a homeless person, calling others out on their crap while ignoring her own, dead-end jobs, trashy adventures, and many epic hangovers.
—Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hangover
Cite this Entry
“Hangover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hangover. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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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