quixotic

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/kwɪkˈsɒtɪk/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/kwɪkˈsɑtɪk/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(kwik sot′ik)


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
quix•ot•ic /kwɪkˈsɑtɪk/USA pronunciation   adj. 
  1. foolishly romantic or impractical in pursuit of one's ideals:a quixotic attempt to save the world single-handedly.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
quix•ot•ic  (kwik sot′ik),USA pronunciation adj. 
  1. (sometimes cap.) resembling or befitting Don Quixote.
  2. extravagantly chivalrous or romantic;
    visionary, impractical, or impracticable.
  3. impulsive and often rashly unpredictable.
Also, quix•ot′i•cal. 
  • (Don) Quixote + -ic 1805–15
quix•ot′i•cal•ly, adv. 
    • 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged fanciful, fantastic, imaginary.
    • 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged realistic, practical.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
quixotic / kwɪkˈsɒtɪk/, quixotical / kwɪkˈsɒtɪkəl/
  1. preoccupied with an unrealistically optimistic or chivalrous approach to life; impractically idealistic
Etymology: 18th Century: after Don Quixotequixˈotically
'quixotic' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
half-quixotic - knight errantry - knight-errantry - quixotism

Forum discussions with the word(s) "quixotic" in the title:


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