quixotic

American  

[kwik-sot-ik] / kwɪkˈsɒt ɪk /

Sometimes quixotical

adjective

1. (of a goal, action, or impulse) characterized by impractical idealism or by extravagant chivalry and romantic imagination.

   Synonyms:

   imaginary, fantastic, fanciful

   Antonyms:

   practical, realistic

2. impulsive, overeager, or capricious.

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

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quixotic British  

/ ˈkwɪksəˌtɪzəm, kwɪkˈsɒtɪk /

adjective

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

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Other Word Forms

• half-quixotic adjective
• half-quixotically adverb
• quixotically adverb
• quixotism noun
• unquixotic adjective
• unquixotical adjective
• unquixotically adverb

Etymology

Origin of quixotic

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

Example Sentences

This goal, far more abstract than a daily word count, demands a correspondingly quixotic process.

From The Wall Street Journal

With its aims so quixotic and its ambitions so extravagant, the movement was destined to fail.

From The Wall Street Journal

What the film shows us, in what seems a very honest if impressionistic depiction, is that most of the world was not necessarily obsessed with rock and pop and quixotic campaigns to change the world.

From The Wall Street Journal

The other advantage was their quixotic approach to financial markets: They were consciously looking for long shots.

From Literature

Chenoweth, who is as gleaming as a holiday ornament on Liberace’s Christmas tree, arrives at a canny balance of quixotic generosity and parvenu carelessness in her portrayal of a woman she refuses to lampoon.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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