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

Day 1 Check into the Kimpton Taconic Hotel, a contemporary property with the feel of a nostalgic New England resort. —Kira Turnbull, Travel + Leisure, 2 Apr. 2024

But that is the point: to wear a strange, nostalgic shoe that will simultaneously repel some people and draw others inwards. —Daniel Rodgers, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2024

Their fellow Landmark Award honorees TLC also played a nostalgic set, and hitmakers like Justin Timberlake, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson and Tate McRae filled out the bill. —Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024

The Golden Age of Merengue Latin pride was celebrated on a nostalgic night filled with hits from the 80s, 90s and the 2000s, connecting several Latin American countries. —Ingrid Fajardo, Billboard, 1 Apr. 2024

This creamy overnight fruit salad is a nostalgic recipe that solves all these issues, and tastes wonderful doing it. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2024

The nostalgic pics featured Jenner’s children Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner and Rob Kardashian taking part in various Easter festivities in their Sunday best. —USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024

Beyond their similar leather jackets, there was something nostalgic, even sentimental about their looks. —Leah Dolan, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024

This week, the actress-producer shared on Instagram that she’s been experimenting with Bermuda-length jean shorts — yes, the nostalgic to-the-knee bottoms of fashion's past. —Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024

Noun

And there’s even that little red eraser ball cursor from back in the day for nostalgics. —Joel Balsam, Travel + Leisure, 6 Dec. 2023

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

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