nostalgic

1 of 2

adjective

nos·​tal·​gic nä-ˈstal-jik How to pronounce nostalgic (audio)
nə-,
 also  nȯ-,
nō-;
nə-ˈstäl-
: feeling or inspiring nostalgia: such as
a
: longing for or thinking fondly of a past time or condition
As we drove through the French countryside, I couldn't help being not just nostalgic, but wistful, about how simple wine was 25 years ago.Matt Kramer
The protest mostly featured the usual suspects—anti-capitalists, environmentalists, union types chanting "Solidarity," and aging hippies nostalgic for their youth.Margaret Wente
b
: evocative of a longed-for past time or condition
He loved good stories, especially nostalgic ones from his boyhood, and relished the telling.Peter Schworm
He soon parlayed his nostalgic pictures into a business that would eventually include writing, antique collecting, museum operations, and reproduction-furniture making.David K. Leff
nostalgically
nä-ˈstal-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce nostalgic (audio)
nə-
 also  nȯ-
nō-;
nə-ˈstäl-
adverb
thinking nostalgically of the summers they spent together
looking back nostalgically on happier times

nostalgic

2 of 2

noun

plural nostalgics
: someone who longs for a past time or condition : a person given to nostalgia
There are nostalgics on both sides who felt better with a predictably snarling standoff than with the uncertain paths now opening.Flora Lewis
Eventually it would become an empty shell, a refuge for nostalgics unable to accept the challenge facing all organizations in a changing world; adapt or perish.John L. H. Keep

Examples of nostalgic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Trinidad & Tobago What: An artisanal Caribbean ice cream and popsicle shop At Island Pops, every mouth-watering scoop takes you on a nostalgic journey to the Caribbean islands. Baz Dreisinger, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023 After more than 25 years off the market, the fast food mavericks are bringing back McNugget Buddies: the nostalgic Happy Meal collectibles. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 29 Nov. 2023 Food companies are refreshing nostalgic brands in fresh ways on supermarket shelves and in restaurants, according to IFT Outlook 2024: Flavor Trends. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Nov. 2023 Yet there is nothing remotely nostalgic about Singer’s treatment of the world of his Hasidic ancestors. Adam Kirsch, The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2023 Simultaneously, the writers sought a narrative that could pop with originality while nodding to the nostalgic types of fairy tales that Disney has been spinning since nearly its founding. Michael Cavna, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2023 The languid, nostalgic song, evocative of 70s pop, had the audience swaying to and fro. Billboard Japan, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2023 Try the deliciously crispy halloumi skewers, the fresh Lebanese foul, and a nostalgic cheese and honey feteer. Laura Lai Coughlin, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Nov. 2023 Our nostalgic take on Cranberry Fluff Salad gets you pretty close to the Pink Stuff, and our Orange Sherbet Salad is basically a citrus counterpart in just as festive a color. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 14 Nov. 2023
Noun
In part, this game is for the nostalgics in the FC Cincinnati and Louisville City FC fan bases. The Enquirer, 25 Apr. 2023 Making any changes to such beloved brands means balancing the new with the nostalgic. Erich Schwartzel, WSJ, 6 May 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nostalgic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

nostalg(ia) + -ic entry 1

Noun

noun derivative of nostalgic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1782, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nostalgic was in 1782

Dictionary Entries Near nostalgic

Cite this Entry

“Nostalgic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nostalgic. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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