nostalgic

1 of 2

adjective

nos·​tal·​gic nä-ˈstal-jik 

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 

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

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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