Definition

The unpleasant physical effects that occur after drinking too much alcohol, often including headache, nausea, and fatigue.

Example

After the party last night, I woke up with a terrible hangover.

Conversation

I had the craziest night out yesterday, but now I have a terrible hangover.

Ouch, those are the worst! What did you do?

We went to that new bar downtown, and I may have overdone it a bit.

Sounds like fun, but yeah, that hangover is definitely a price to pay.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Hangover → The word 'hangover' is formed from 'hang' (from Old English 'hangian', meaning to suspend or be suspended) and 'over' (meaning above or beyond). The term describes the state of being suspended in discomfort after drinking too much alcohol, hence the feeling that lingers over one after a night of drinking.

Memory Tip

Think of the feeling of being 'suspended' ('hang') in discomfort 'beyond' ('over') a night of drinking — that's what a hangover means.

Visually Confused Words