# hanger

/ˈhæŋɝ/ (US) · /hˈæŋɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hanger
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

the feeling of being angry or annoyed because you are hungry. It is a mix of the words 'hungry' and 'angry'.

For teachers: a state of irritability or anger caused by a lack of food. An informal portmanteau of 'hungry' and 'angry'.

## Examples

- I get terrible hanger if I skip lunch.
- She apologized for her short temper, explaining that it was just hanger and she needed a snack.
- While often discussed in a lighthearted context, hanger reflects a genuine physiological response where low blood sugar levels trigger the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

## Usage notes

- Typically used in informal spoken English to explain sudden irritability.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.