We all remember the past now and then, don’t we? Now, what other verbs, besides “remember,” can we use for this act? Reminisce, recall, look back—are you sure you understand the nuances of these verbs? Also, what expressions are handy when feeling nostalgic? “Those were the days,” “back in the day,” and so on. Read on for much more and prepare for your next trip down memory lane!

Nostalgia & Nostalgic

Nostalgia (/nəˈstældʒə/ or /nɑːˈstældʒə/) is a sad feeling mixed with pleasure when you think of happy times in the past. You are nostalgic for something if you feel that way, and something is nostalgic if it makes you feel like that:

1. I feel quite nostalgic for the place where I grew up.
2. The cozy cafe had a nostalgic charm, with its vintage decor and warm, welcoming atmosphere.
3. The song brought a sense of nostalgia, reminding me of my childhood.

Common collocations with the words include: a sense/wave/pang of nostalgia, nostalgia sweeps over me, be filled with nostalgia for something, feel/get nostalgic, have a nostalgic vibe/feel (about things like movies or places), nostalgic voice/smile (that would show you are feeling nostalgic), nostalgic moments.

Synonyms for “Remember”

1. Recall /rɪˈkɔːl/ (formal): I can still recall the first time we met.
2. Recollect /ˌrekəˈlekt/ (formal; remember something, especially by making an effort to remember it): She could no longer recollect the details of the letter.
3. Reminisce /ˌremɪˈnɪs/ (think, talk or write about a happy time in your past): We spent a happy evening reminiscing about the past.
4. Think back: I keep thinking back to the day I arrived here.
5. Call to mind (formal; =recall): She couldn’t call to mind where she had seen him before.

Describing Memories

As mentioned before, memories can be—and often are—nostalgic. What other adjectives come to mind? Read on to add a few more to the wealth of your vocabulary.

1. Vivid (very clear): I have a vivid memory of my grandmother’s house, with its bright yellow walls and the scent of fresh cookies.
2. Living (still vivid and active in one’s mind): The war is still fresh in the living memory of those who fought in it.
3. Fond (heartwarming, sentimental): She has fond memories of her summers spent at the beach with her family.
4. Fuzzy (unclear): The details of that event are a bit fuzzy, but I remember the excitement.
5. Precious (dear): The memory of their wedding day is a precious one, cherished by both of them.
6. Bitter (painful): He has bitter memories of his time at the company, marked by difficult relationships.
7. Sweet (pleasant): Her sweet memories of the first time she saw the city will stay with her forever.
8. Haunting /ˈhɔːntɪŋ/ (difficult to forget): The haunting memory of the accident still affects him, even after all these years.
9. Fading (less and less clear over time): His fading memory of the event made it difficult to recount all the details.
10. Distant (feeling remote): The distant memory of her childhood home often made her feel nostalgic.

Useful Expressions

Finally, what could be more handy mid-conversation than a phrase that perfectly captures the nuance and meaning you wish to convey? Here are some such phrases:

1. Those were the days: Ah, those were the days when we used to spend every summer at the lake. (Handy for expressing a sense of fondness or nostalgia.)
2. Looking back… : Looking back, I realize how much those small moments shaped who I am today. (Reflecting on the past and gaining new insights.)
3. The good old days: Ah, the good old days, when we didn’t have a care in the world and could spend all day outdoors. (Expressing nostalgia for a past time that felt simpler or happier.)
4. A trip/walk down memory lane (= an experience of revisiting past memories): Visiting our childhood home again was like a trip down memory lane, bringing back so many old feelings.
5. Back in the day: Back in the day, we used to walk to school together every morning. (Refers to a time in the past, often when things seemed simpler or better.)
6. How time flies: How time flies! It feels like it was just yesterday we were in high school. (Used to express surprise at how quickly time has passed since a particular event.)
7. In the back of my mind: The thought of that summer holiday is always in the back of my mind. (= not consciously thought about but still there in memory)
8. A blast from the past: Seeing that old friend at the reunion was a real blast from the past. (Something or someone from the past that suddenly reappears or is remembered.)
9. I have a memory like a sieve /sɪv/: I’m sorry, I completely forgot. I have a memory like a sieve! (= I forget things so easily!)
10. Mind like a steel trap (the opposite of “a memory like a sieve”): Her mind is like a steel trap, she remembers everything, no matter how small.

Is your mind like a steel trap, or is it more like a sieve? Do you often get nostalgic? If so, for what? Looking forward to your comments below. 😊