What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nostalgia
Example
I feel a sense of nostalgia when I listen to music from my childhood. [nostalgia: noun]
Example
She was nostalgic for the days when she used to live in the countryside. [nostalgic: adjective]
longing
Example
He felt a longing for his homeland while living abroad. [longing: noun]
Example
She had a longing to see the ocean again after many years. [longing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nostalgia is more commonly used than longing in everyday language. Nostalgia is a familiar term that is often used in casual conversation, while longing is more formal and less frequently used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nostalgia and longing?
While nostalgia is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, longing is more formal and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
