quixotic

[ kwik-sot-ik ]

adjective

1. extravagantly chivalrous or romantic; visionary, impractical, or impracticable.

   Synonyms: imaginary, fantastic, fanciful

   Antonyms: practical, realistic

2. impulsive and often rashly unpredictable.
3. (sometimes initial capital letter) resembling or befitting Don Quixote ( def ).

quixotic

/ ˈkwɪksəˌtɪzəm; kwɪkˈsɒtɪk /

adjective

1. preoccupied with an unrealistically optimistic or chivalrous approach to life; impractically idealistic

Derived Forms

• quixˈotically, adverb
• quixotism, noun

Other Words From

• quix·oti·cal·ly adverb
• half-quix·otic adjective
• half-quix·oti·cal·ly adverb
• unquix·otic adjective
• unquix·oti·cal adjective
• unquix·oti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of quixotic¹

First recorded in 1805–15; (Don) Quixote + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of quixotic¹

C18: after Don Quixote

Example Sentences

Especially given that Democrats also came up just short in both gubernatorial and senate races in 2018 despite a very favorable national environment, you can certainly understand why the party doesn’t want to light stacks of cash on fire in a quixotic bid to unseat Scott.

From Slate

From San Bernardino to Austin to Cape Cod, state transportation departments are pouring billions of dollars into highway expansions that upend communities and damage the planet, all in a quixotic quest to conquer congestion.

From Slate

At 65, Farrell is the elder statesman of the bunch, yet energetic and full of oddball quixotic charm.

From Los Angeles Times

At 34, Matt Smith is a widower and amateur botanist whose grief and passion are fueling a quest some might call quixotic — to photograph every plant native to Los Angeles County.

From Los Angeles Times

But no one wanted to walk away from the idea, however quixotic it sometimes seemed.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dreamy
• foolish
• impractical
• impulsive
• romantic
• unrealistic
• utopian