hangover

[hang-oh-ver]

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.

hangover

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hangover¹

1890–95, noun use of verb phrase hang over

Example Sentences

Even as things opened up, the memory of that disorientation lingered, like a bad hangover.

From Salon

Symptoms of methanol poisoning are similar to a hangover, meaning it can be hard for a person to know if they have been affected.

From BBC

The hangover from the last election was always going to be nasty after a proper thumping, 14 years in power, and, oh yes, those five prime ministers.

From BBC

"I don't necessarily feel that in a sense of a hangover," he said before the game in Brussels.

From BBC

Analysts warned that there will likely be a hangover after the buying spree.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aftereffect 
• headache