noun
Quixote
KWIHK-suht
Quixote (noun) means a person who is idealistic and chivalrous to the point of being impractical. Example: “He was a modern quixote, forever chasing hopeless causes.”
noun
1
A person who is idealistic and chivalrous to the point of being impractical.
"He was a modern quixote, forever chasing hopeless causes."
How to use Quixote
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone whose noble intentions outrun what is actually achievable.
Common mistake
The adjective form "quixotic" is far more common in everyday speech than this noun.
Easily confused with
quixotic
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Word forms
- Plural
- Quixotes
Fill the gap
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He was a modern _____, forever chasing hopeless causes.
Etymology
Named after Don Quixote, the idealistic knight-errant hero of Miguel de Cervantes's 17th-century novel.
Class of 1600
Quixote joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Rhymes for Quixote
See all rhymes for Quixote →Frequently asked questions
What does “Quixote” mean?
The word “Quixote” means a person who is idealistic and chivalrous to the point of being impractical. In plain terms, someone whose noble intentions outrun what is actually achievable.
How do you pronounce “Quixote”?
“Quixote” is pronounced KWIHK-suht (/ˈkwɪk.sət/ in IPA).
How do you use “Quixote” in a sentence?
Here is “Quixote” used in a sentence: “He was a modern quixote, forever chasing hopeless causes.”
What part of speech is “Quixote”?
“Quixote” is a noun.
Where does the word “Quixote” come from?
The word “Quixote” dates back to around 1600. Named after Don Quixote, the idealistic knight-errant hero of Miguel de Cervantes's 17th-century novel.
Featured in
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