English Reference
adjective · noun

nostalgic

adj. · n.
US /nɔˈstæɫdʒɪk/ UK /nəstˈældʒɪk/ nos·tal·gic

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.feeling happy and a bit sad when you think about things that happened in the past.

    adj.exhibiting a sentimental or wistful yearning for the happiness felt in a former place, time, or situation.

    Simple

    Seeing his old school photos made him feel nostalgic for his childhood.

    In context

    The director's latest film is a nostalgic tribute to the golden age of cinema, filled with references that only dedicated cinephiles would recognise.

    forward looking
  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal

    n.someone who often thinks about and misses the past.

    n.a person who displays or is prone to nostalgia. Often used in political or cultural contexts to describe those who prefer traditional ways.

    Simple

    The nostalgics in the group argued that the old town square was better before the modern shops arrived.

    In context

    While some critics dismissed the movement as the work of mere nostalgics, others saw it as a necessary preservation of cultural heritage.


From nostalgia + -ic.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated