nostalgic
gb/nɔstˈæld͡ʒɪk/ us/nɔstˈæld͡ʒɪk/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
state
1
longing for the past
Thinking about the past and missing it in a happy-sad way.
Usage pattern:
be/feel/get nostalgic (about/for) [time/place/thing]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *nostalgic* to mean simply "old" or "old-fashioned"; it usually describes a feeling.
Synonyms
sentimental (Often more openly emotional and less specifically about the past.)
|
wistful (Emphasizes gentle sadness or longing.)
Antonyms
unsentimental (Not influenced by tender feelings about the past.)
|
forward-looking (Focused on the future rather than the past.)
Collocations
feel nostalgic
|get nostalgic
|be nostalgic for childhood
|be nostalgic about school
|nostalgic memories
|a nostalgic feeling
|nostalgic for home
|nostalgic about the old days
|make someone nostalgic
|in a nostalgic mood
Themes
emotions
|memory
|time
Examples
- I felt nostalgic when I heard the theme song from that old TV show.
- She gets nostalgic for her university days whenever she visits the campus.
- Looking through the photos made him nostalgic about his childhood.
Learner examples
- I feel nostalgic when I see old pictures.
- He is nostalgic for his hometown.
adjective
B2
property
2
bringing back memories of the past
Making you remember the past and feel warm about it.
Usage pattern:
a nostalgic [song/film/photo/style/advert]
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse *nostalgic* with *historic* (important in history) or *historical* (related to history).
Synonyms
retro (Often about style that imitates an earlier time, not necessarily about feelings.)
|
evocative (More general; can bring back any strong memories, not only the past.)
Antonyms
modern (Belonging to the present time rather than recalling the past.)
|
cutting-edge (Emphasizes newness and innovation, the opposite of looking back.)
Collocations
nostalgic song
|nostalgic film
|nostalgic photo
|nostalgic advertisement
|nostalgic style
|nostalgic charm
|nostalgic reminder
|a nostalgic tribute
|nostalgic soundtrack
|nostalgic vibe
Themes
arts_culture
|emotions
|memory
Examples
- The movie has a nostalgic soundtrack that reminds me of the 1990s.
- That café’s nostalgic decor makes it feel like an old neighborhood diner.
- The commercial uses nostalgic images to connect with older viewers.
Learner examples
- This song is nostalgic for me.
- The photo is nostalgic.
Grammar
Dictionary form
nostalgic
IPA
GB/nɔstˈæld͡ʒɪk/
US/nɔstˈæld͡ʒɪk/
Syllables & stress
nos - tal - gic (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tal)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: nostalgic
Word family
Core family
nostalgia
noun B2
nostalgically
adverb C1
Expressions
be nostalgic about [something]
1/bˈi nɔstˈæld͡ʒɪk əbˈaʊt sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
think warmly of the past
To remember the past and miss it a little.
Examples
- We were nostalgic about our school days as we looked through the yearbook.
- She’s nostalgic about the early days of the company.
- They got nostalgic about the trips they used to take every summer.
be nostalgic for [something]
1/bˈi nɔstˈæld͡ʒɪk fɚ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
miss a past time/place
To miss the past in a happy-sad way.
Examples
- He’s nostalgic for the summers he spent at his grandparents’ house.
- Many people are nostalgic for a time when life felt simpler.
- She became nostalgic for her first job after meeting an old colleague.
feel nostalgic
1/fˈil nɔstˈæld͡ʒɪk/
fixed phrase
experience nostalgia
To start thinking about the past and miss it.
Examples
- I always feel nostalgic when I hear that band.
- She felt nostalgic after visiting her old neighborhood.
- You might feel nostalgic the first time you see your childhood photos again.
get nostalgic
1/ɡˈɛt nɔstˈæld͡ʒɪk/
fixed phrase
informal
suddenly start reminiscing
To start missing the past.
Examples
- Don’t get nostalgic now—we still have work to do.
- He got nostalgic about his first apartment when we drove past it.
- We always get nostalgic around the holidays.