What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nostalgic
Example
The old photographs made her feel nostalgic for her childhood. [nostalgic: adjective]
Example
He listened to the song and felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him. [nostalgia: noun]
wistful
Example
She looked out the window with a wistful expression, dreaming of traveling the world. [wistful: adjective]
Example
He spoke in a wistful tone about his lost love. [wistful: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nostalgic is more commonly used than wistful in everyday language, but both words are appropriate for expressing a sense of longing or yearning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nostalgic and wistful?
Both nostalgic and wistful are relatively formal words, but they can be used in both formal and informal contexts depending on the situation.
