nostalgia

American  

[no-stal-juh, -jee-uh, nuh-] / nɒˈstæl dʒə, -dʒi ə, nə- /

noun

1. 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.

2. something that elicits or displays nostalgia.

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nostalgia British  

/ -dʒɪə, nɒˈstældʒə /

noun

1. a yearning for the return of past circumstances, events, etc

2. the evocation of this emotion, as in a book, film, etc

3. longing for home or family; homesickness

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Other Word Forms

• nostalgic adjective

Etymology

Origin of nostalgia

First recorded in 1770–80; from New Latin, from Greek nóst(os) “a return home” + -algia -algia

Example Sentences

He thinks renewed interest is fuelled by nostalgia, and the fact people can switch off while playing - but there's another big reason.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Through a proprietary mixture of light nostalgia baiting and ever-present curiosity, Gellar has achieved a rare type of icon status — a superstar who owns her legacy, but isn’t willing to rest on her laurels.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

Experiencing a surge of nostalgia, I went on eBay and ordered a vintage North Face, similar to the one I’d owned as a teen.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Yet there were also moments of nostalgia, connection and excitement as returning players arrived on the beach, grateful to be part of the show’s landmark 50th season.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

All of this felt particularly sweet in these last days, as the nostalgia that kicks in at the end of any meaningful experience had started to affect us.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore

Related Words

• longing
• remorse
• sentimentality
• wistfulness
• yearning