hangover

American  

[hang-oh-ver] / ˈhæŋˌoʊ vər /

noun

1. the disagreeable physical aftereffects of drunkenness, such as a headache or stomach disorder, usually felt several hours after cessation of drinking.

   Synonyms:

   nausea, qualm, sickishness, queasiness

2. something remaining behind from a former period or state of affairs.

3. any aftermath of or lingering effect from a distressing experience.

   the post-Watergate hangover in Washington.

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hangover British  

/ ˈhæŋˌəʊvə /

noun

1. the delayed aftereffects of drinking too much alcohol in a relatively short period of time, characterized by headache and sometimes nausea and dizziness

2. a person or thing left over from or influenced by a past age

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Etymology

Origin of hangover

1890–95, noun use of verb phrase hang over

Example Sentences

MPs from the governing coalition stress any "brain drain" is not a new problem for the country, and say its recent deeper woes are a hangover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

Whether it's been age profile, a creaking scrum, a sputtering attack, the unsettled fly-half situation or a British and Irish Lions hangover, most of the discussion has been largely negative.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

The next morning, I woke up with what I can only describe as a disclosure hangover.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

They pulled back financially following their historic Super Bowl hangover the next season, opting for a “remodel,” as Snead called it, in 2023.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2026

But that is my own illusion, a hangover from a version of reality I learned in the former time.

From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood

Related Words

• aftereffect
• headache