quixotic

quix·ot·ic

adj \kwik-ˈsä-tik\

Definition of QUIXOTIC

1

: foolishly impractical especially in the pursuit of ideals; especially : marked by rash lofty romantic ideas or extravagantly chivalrous action

2

: capricious, unpredictable

— quix·ot·i·cal\-ti-kəl\ adjective

— quix·ot·i·cal·ly\-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of QUIXOTIC

1. They had quixotic dreams about the future.
2. <in this age of giant chain stores, any attempt at operating an independent bookstore must be regarded as quixotic>

Origin of QUIXOTIC

Don Quixote

First Known Use: 1718

Related to QUIXOTIC

Synonyms: idealist, idealistic, quixotical, romantic, starry, starry-eyed, utopian, visionary

Antonyms: clear-eyed, clear-sighted

Related Words: impractical, unrealistic; crusading, messianic, zealous; dewy-eyed, moonstruck, moony, sentimental, tender-minded; hopeful, optimistic, Pollyannaish (also Pollyannish), rosy, upbeat; doctrinaire, ideological (also ideologic)

Near Antonyms: hardheaded, hard-nosed, tough-minded, unsentimental; practical, pragmatic (also pragmatical), realistic

[+]more[-]hide

See Synonym Discussion at imaginary

Rhymes with QUIXOTIC

aquatic, biotic, chaotic, cirrhotic, demotic, despotic, ergotic, erotic, exotic, hypnotic, kyphotic, leprotic, lordotic, meiotic, mitotic, narcotic, necrotic, neurotic, Nilotic, osmotic, psychotic, robotic, sclerotic, thrombotic, zygotic