hangover

Alternative forms

• hang-over

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈhæŋoʊvɚ/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈhæŋəʊvə/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

hangover (plural hangovers)

1. Illness caused by a previous bout of alcohol drinking.

   Synonym: veisalgia

   Antonym: afterglow

   I really enjoyed yesterday’s party, but now I have the biggest hangover – I’ll not be doing that again any time soon.

2. (figuratively) An unpleasant relic left from prior events.
   • 2013, Simon Jenkins, Gibraltar and the Falklands deny the logic of history (in The Guardian, 14 August 2013)

     While they deny the logic of history and geography, neither Gibraltar nor the Falklands will ever be truly "safe". One day these hangovers will somehow merge into their hinterlands and cease to be grit in the shoe of international relations. This day will be hastened if world governments take action to end tax havens.

See also

• hung over

Anagrams

• overhang