Meaning & use
nostalgic tone
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Meanings
nouncountable
A feeling or style in a piece of writing, music, or speech that makes people think fondly about the past.
Grammar: Used with 'a' or 'the': 'The film has a nostalgic tone.'
Patterns
- a nostalgic tone
- in a nostalgic tone
- the nostalgic tone of something
The novel's nostalgic tone brings back memories of childhood summers.
Her speech had a nostalgic tone that made everyone smile.
The song's nostalgic tone reminded him of his old school days.
nouncountable
A quality in someone's voice that shows they are remembering the past with affection.
Grammar: Often used after 'in': 'She spoke in a nostalgic tone.'
Patterns
- in a nostalgic tone
- speak in a nostalgic tone
He spoke in a nostalgic tone about his first job.
There was a nostalgic tone in her voice as she described the old house.
Word forms
| plural | nostalgic tones |
|---|
Common combinations
- a nostalgic tone
- The poem has a nostalgic tone.
- in a nostalgic tone
- She said it in a nostalgic tone.
- a nostalgic tone of voice
- He used a nostalgic tone of voice.
Synonyms and how they differ
- wistful tone
- Wistful suggests a slightly sad longing, while nostalgic is more about happy memories.
- sentimental tone
- Sentimental can be disapproving and suggests too much emotion; nostalgic is usually neutral or positive.
Word family
- nostalgia noun
- The feeling of pleasure and slight sadness when thinking about the past.
- nostalgically adverb
- In a way that shows nostalgia.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'nostalgic tone' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A nostalgic tone is a way of speaking or writing that shows fond memories. Option C fits because she is remembering her grandmother's cooking. Option An is wrong because explaining rules is not nostalgic. Option B is wrong because a tone is not given by photographs. Option D is contradictory.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “nostalgic tone”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.