nostalgia
no-STALD-zhuh
Nostalgia (noun) means a wistful longing for the past, or for home and familiar things. Example: “Hearing that old song filled her with nostalgia for her school days.”
noun
1
A wistful longing for the past, or for home and familiar things.
"an alumnus' feelings of nostalgia for his/her years in high school"
"Seeing food at camp similar to his mother's cooking sent a wave of nostalgia through him."
"Hearing that old song filled her with nostalgia for her school days."
"The reunion was full of nostalgia as old friends swapped stories."
"Looking through the old photo album fills my grandmother with nostalgia."
"Many of the stations, some of which are request stops, still have their original LSWR buildings. All are now private homes, but it oozes nostalgia (which I like)."
— 'Mystery Shopper', Is Devon the cream of the crop? (2025)
How to use nostalgia
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fond, slightly sad longing for a past time or place.
Memory tip
It's always a mixture of fondness and sadness — pure happy memory isn't quite nostalgia.
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Common pairings
wave of nostalgia
feel nostalgia for
sense of nostalgia
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Word forms
- Plural
- nostalgias
Fill the gap
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Hearing that old song filled her with _____ for her school days.
Etymology
Coined in 1688 by the Swiss physician Johannes Hofer, combining Greek nostos ("homecoming") and algos ("pain"), originally to describe a medical condition of severe homesickness.
Class of 1688
nostalgia joined the language around 1688.
See the full Class of 1688 →
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for nostalgia
See all rhymes for nostalgia →Frequently asked questions
What does “nostalgia” mean?
The word “nostalgia” means a wistful longing for the past, or for home and familiar things. In plain terms, a fond, slightly sad longing for a past time or place.
How do you pronounce “nostalgia”?
“Nostalgia” is pronounced no-STALD-zhuh (/nɑˈstæld͡ʒə/ in IPA).
How do you use “nostalgia” in a sentence?
Here is “nostalgia” used in a sentence: “Hearing that old song filled her with nostalgia for her school days.”
What is the opposite of “nostalgia”?
The opposite of “nostalgia” — its antonyms — are nostopathy and nostophobia.
What part of speech is “nostalgia”?
“Nostalgia” is a noun.
Where does the word “nostalgia” come from?
The word “nostalgia” dates back to around 1688 and comes from Greek. Coined in 1688 by the Swiss physician Johannes Hofer, combining Greek nostos ("homecoming") and algos ("pain"), originally to describe a medical condition of severe homesickness.
Is “nostalgia” a common word?
“Nostalgia” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
What is the difference between nostalgia and homesickness?
Homesickness specifically refers to longing for one's home while away from it, whereas nostalgia is broader, describing a wistful longing for the past in general, including memories, eras, or experiences, not just a physical place. Nostalgia can be felt without ever having left home.
Is nostalgia always a positive feeling?
Nostalgia is often described as bittersweet, since it involves a wistful longing that combines fondness for the past with an awareness that it cannot be recovered. This mix of warmth and sadness is part of what distinguishes it from simple happiness.
What is the adjective form of nostalgia?
The adjective form of nostalgia is nostalgic, used to describe a feeling, object, or moment that evokes that wistful longing for the past, as in 'a nostalgic photograph.'
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