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
Matt KramerThe protest mostly featured the usual suspects—anti-capitalists, environmentalists, union types chanting "Solidarity," and aging hippies nostalgic for their youth.—Margaret Wente
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
Peter SchwormHe soon parlayed his nostalgic pictures into a business that would eventually include writing, antique collecting, museum operations, and reproduction-furniture making.—David K. Leff
David K. Leff
nostalgically
adverb
thinking nostalgically of the summers they spent together
looking back nostalgically on happier times
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
Flora LewisEventually 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
John L. H. KeepExamples of nostalgic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebTim Chan, Billboard, 15 Apr. 2024
While Rowland’s nostalgic golden hue complemented her bob, Fantasia’s pixie cut was covered with a laced head piece as long, straight eyelashes framed a deep oceanic-colored shadow.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 13 Apr. 2024
Carrie later shared a photo of the big moment on Instagram alongside a sweet, nostalgic caption.
—Emily Krauser, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
Plus, don't miss legendary rock band Blur later at the Coachella Stage to keep those nostalgic indie vibes going all night.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2024
Greenfield Village is opening for the season, offering a nostalgic journey into history; the Rackham Choir is set to perform a captivating concert, and the Detroit Mercy Theatre Company promises laughter with a comedy show.
—Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 11 Apr. 2024
Get The Recipe 09 of 28 Lemon Lush This nostalgic layered dessert will remind Mom of the one her mom used to make.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2024
Since the series came out, conversations around workplace safety in children’s television have intensified, especially as many on social media have discussed the revelations of what the stars of their nostalgic childhood TV favorites endured when the cameras weren’t rolling.
—Moises Mendez Ii, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
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
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
Adjective
What followed was a nostalgic journey through some of Carey’s biggest hits, each in chronological order of when they were released, and many accompanied by a story or quip about how the song came to be.
—Tim Chan, Billboard, 15 Apr. 2024
While Rowland’s nostalgic golden hue complemented her bob, Fantasia’s pixie cut was covered with a laced head piece as long, straight eyelashes framed a deep oceanic-colored shadow.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 13 Apr. 2024
Carrie later shared a photo of the big moment on Instagram alongside a sweet, nostalgic caption.
—Emily Krauser, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
Plus, don't miss legendary rock band Blur later at the Coachella Stage to keep those nostalgic indie vibes going all night.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2024
Greenfield Village is opening for the season, offering a nostalgic journey into history; the Rackham Choir is set to perform a captivating concert, and the Detroit Mercy Theatre Company promises laughter with a comedy show.
—Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 11 Apr. 2024
Get The Recipe 09 of 28 Lemon Lush This nostalgic layered dessert will remind Mom of the one her mom used to make.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2024
Since the series came out, conversations around workplace safety in children’s television have intensified, especially as many on social media have discussed the revelations of what the stars of their nostalgic childhood TV favorites endured when the cameras weren’t rolling.
—Moises Mendez Ii, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
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
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
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.
Dictionary Entries Near nostalgic
Cite this Entry
“Nostalgic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nostalgic. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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