Basic Details
Word: Nostalgia
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A feeling of longing for the past, often with a sense of happiness or sadness.
Synonyms: Sentimentality, reminiscence, longing
Antonyms: Indifference, apathy, forgetfulness
Idioms and Phrases
- Nostalgia isn't what it used to be: This phrase is used to express that the way we remember the past often differs from how it actually was. Example: "When I visit my childhood home, I realise nostalgia isn't what it used to be; things have changed."
- Back in the day: This phrase refers to a time in the past that one remembers fondly. Example: "Back in the day, we used to play outside until the sun went down, and those were the best times."
Usage Examples
Example 1: While looking through old photographs, she was filled with nostalgia and remembered the fun times spent with friends.
Example 2: The smell of freshly baked cookies brought a wave of nostalgia, reminding him of his grandmother's kitchen.
Example 3: Many people feel a sense of nostalgia when listening to music from their youth.
Fun Fact
Nostalgia was originally a term used by Swiss doctors in the 17th century to describe the homesickness experienced by soldiers, combining the Greek words for 'return home' and 'pain'. It has since evolved to describe a sentimental longing for the past in general.
Famous Quote
"Nostalgia is a file that removes the rough edges from the good old days." - Doug Larson
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "nostalgia" mean?
a) A feeling of happiness
b) A feeling of longing for the past
c) A sense of anger
d) A desire for the future
Answer: b) A feeling of longing for the past
2. Which of these is a synonym of "nostalgia"?
a) Indifference
b) Forgetfulness
c) Sentimentality
d) Reality
Answer: c) Sentimentality
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "nostalgia"?
a) Longing
b) Reminiscence
c) Apathy
d) Yearning
Answer: c) Apathy
4. Which sentence uses "nostalgia" correctly?
a) She felt nostalgia while reading a scary story.
b) The nostalgia of the sunny beach holidays made him smile.
c) He expressed nostalgia by running fast.
d) Nostalgia is a kind of fruit.
Answer: b) The nostalgia of the sunny beach holidays made him smile.
5. Which idiom refers to a time in the past that one remembers fondly?
a) Nostalgia isn't what it used to be
b) A new leaf
c) Call it a day
d) Knock on wood
Answer: a) Nostalgia isn't what it used to be
