quixotic
1 synonym and 2 antonyms for quixotic, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Extremely idealistic and eager to do noble things without regard for what is realistic or practical.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use quixotic
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
quixotic quest
quixotic attempt
quixotic idealism
quixotic notion
It is somewhat formal and often carries a gently critical or wistful tone.
Etymology
The word comes from Quixote, the Spanish name of Don Quixote, the title character of Miguel de Cervantes's novel, plus the ending -ic.
Full origin of quixotic →Frequently asked questions
What does quixotic mean?
Quixotic describes someone or something that is extremely idealistic and driven by a wish to do noble or romantic deeds without thinking about what is practical.
Where does the word quixotic come from?
It comes from Don Quixote, the hero of the novel by Miguel de Cervantes. The name was combined with the ending -ic.
How do you pronounce quixotic?
In American English it is commonly said as kwik-SAH-tik, with the qu sounding like kw and the x like ks.
