quixotic

[kwik-sot-ik]

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adjective

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

impulsive and often rashly unpredictable.

(sometimes initial capital letter) resembling or befitting Don Quixote.

Nearby words

Sometimes quix·ot·i·cal.

Origin of quixotic

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

SYNONYMS FOR quixotic

1. fanciful, fantastic, imaginary.

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ANTONYMS FOR quixotic

1. realistic, practical.

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Related forms

quix·ot·i·cal·ly, adverbhalf-quix·ot·ic, adjectivehalf-quix·ot·i·cal·ly, adverbun·quix·ot·ic, adjective

un·quix·ot·i·cal, adjectiveun·quix·ot·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for quixotic

Resolve that this can and should be the year that zero preschoolers go hungry based on your quixotic grandstanding.
15 Achievable New Year’s Resolutions|Kelly Williams Brown|December 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Of course, his quixotic crusade to defund Obamacare will surely fail, but it made for some good TV.
Highlight Reel: 11 Craziest Moments From Ted Cruz’s Quasi-Filibuster|Ben Jacobs, The Daily Beast Video|September 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In November 2007, though, Dutschke seemed to realize his campaign was quixotic.
Ricin Suspect J. Everett Dutschke Arrested|Winston Ross|April 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Even after Newtown, swarms of commentators warned that Obama would be a fool to take on such a quixotic cause.
Gun Control Fight Finally Lays to Rest the Obama-as-Timid Meme|Peter Beinart|April 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST

But along comes Hank Greenberg, AIG's colorful former chief, pushing them to join his quixotic lawsuit.
AIG May Sue the Government For An Insufficiently Generous Bailout|Megan McArdle|January 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The journey back, vague and Quixotic as were his intentions, was performed with a far lighter heart than his setting forth.
A Group of Noble Dames|Thomas Hardy
It was mad and quixotic and absurd, but it had a certain light of nobility.
None Other Gods|Robert Hugh Benson
Since high motives were ineffectual, Quixotic, ought he to discard them and come down to the ordinary level?
Gulmore, The Boss|Frank Harris
He had a Quixotic sub-consciousness that he was saving her from his kind by making her promise formally.
The Grey Wig: Stories and Novelettes|Israel Zangwill
I told her that you were Quixotic in some things, and you might agree.
His Unknown Wife|Louis Tracy

British Dictionary definitions for quixotic

quixotic

adjective

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

Derived Formsquixotically, adverbquixotism (ˈkwɪksəˌtɪzəm), noun

Word Origin for quixotic

C18: after Don Quixote

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for quixotic

quixotic

adj.

"extravagantly chivalrous," 1791, from Don Quixote, romantic, impractical hero of Cervantes' satirical novel "Don Quixote de la Mancha" (1605; English translation by 1620). His name literally means "thigh," also "a cuisse" (a piece of armor for the thigh), in Modern Spanish quijote, from Latin coxa "hip." Related: Quixotical; quixotically.

quixotic

adjective

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of quixotic

Examples from the Web for quixotic

quixotic

adjective

Word Origin for quixotic

quixotic