hangover

Everyday

1. A hangover is the sick feeling, headache and tiredness a person has the day after drinking too much alcohol. tree →
2. Something left over from an earlier time that still continues: «a hangover from the old days». tree →

In the lessons

Used in everyday adult talk, TV and news; children may hear it about grown-ups. In history and formal writing, the second sense is about old habits. Phrases: «have a hangover», «nurse a hangover».

Examples

• Dad joked he had a hangover after the party. tree →
• A hangover can cause a headache and thirst. tree →
• The old rule is a hangover from long ago. tree →
• Drink water to avoid feeling bad the next day. tree →
• He stayed in bed with a hangover. tree →
• This uniform rule is a hangover from the past. tree →

Note

Countable. Adults' word; drinking alcohol is not for children. Related phrasal verb: «hang over» (be over something). In the «left over» sense it is formal.