morning after

noun

, plural mornings after.

1. a period, as in the morning, when the aftereffects of excessive self-indulgence during the previous evening are felt, especially the aftereffects of excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages.
2. a moment or period of realization in which the consequences of an earlier ill-advised action are recognized or brought home to one.

Word History and Origins

Origin of morning after¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Gazan rescue teams say search operations began early in the morning after Israel bombed at least five buildings in Beit Lahia and Gaza City.

From BBC

The morning after Thanksgiving deserves some sweetness, too.

From Salon

Whether you’re in search of a show-stopping centerpiece, a quick weekday bake or something to enjoy with coffee the morning after the feast, these recipes are tested, crowd-pleasing favorites.

From Salon

At 3 AM the morning after the election, I felt myself already having moved from flight into fight mode.

From Salon

The morning after the ceremony, as they waved off guests who were returning to the mainland, the crew saluted the newlyweds with a toot of the horn.

From BBC

Related Words

• aftereffect
• headache