nostalgia
Americannoun
-
a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one's life, to one's home or homeland, or to one's family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time.
a nostalgia for his college days.
-
something that elicits or displays nostalgia.
noun
-
a yearning for the return of past circumstances, events, etc
-
the evocation of this emotion, as in a book, film, etc
-
longing for home or family; homesickness
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of nostalgia
First recorded in 1770–80; from New Latin, from Greek nóst(os) “a return home” + -algia -algia
Explanation
Think of the noun nostalgia when you long for the good old days of the past. The noun nostalgia was invented by a Swiss doctor in the late 1600s. He put together the Greek nostos "homecoming" and algos "pain, distress" as a literal translation of the German Heimweh "homesickness." Originally, it was a medical diagnosis for mercenary soldiers. Today, it describes a bittersweet longing for the past. Think of the dreamy way your grandpa tells stories of his childhood — he's got nostalgia.
Vocabulary lists containing nostalgia
Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 3
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
ACT Vocabulary List
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Alchemist
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But far from getting caught up in nostalgia, Ochoa is beginning to envision what comes after retirement.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026
The remaining members of EW&F, including original members Philip Bailey, White’s half-brother Verdine, and Ralph Johnson, form one of the few nostalgia acts that can still draw people to arenas.
From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026
"An era comes to an end with her passing. I feel, like so many French people, a deep nostalgia," said Sarkozy, who last year was briefly jailed over a graft conviction.
From Barron's • Jun. 6, 2026
“Schmigadoon!” wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for nostalgia for a time when musicals were not just more popular but also often fresher and more inventive than they are today.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
The scent of burning wood reminded everyone of land so far away, and sunk many of the men into nostalgia and fresh pangs of homesickness.
From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
