ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hangover

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈhæˌŋoʊvɝ// UK //hˈæŋɡəʊvɐ// hang·over Archaic

n. the tired and sick feeling you have the morning after drinking too much alcohol. You might have a headache, feel thirsty, or find bright lights painful.

n. the unpleasant physiological and psychological effects following the consumption of excessive alcohol. Often used to describe the state of recovery during the subsequent day.


SIMPLE

He has a terrible hangover after the party.

CONTEXTUAL

She drank plenty of water before bed to try and avoid a hangover the next morning.

COMPLEX

The protagonist spends the first three chapters nursing a massive hangover, which serves as a physical manifestation of his regret over the previous night's poor decisions.

Synonyms
Origin

American English; hang + over. First sense was first attested in 1904. Second sense was first attested in 1894.

Usage

Commonly used with the verbs 'have', 'get', or 'nurse'.

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