Quixotic

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /kwɪkˈsɒtɪk/

Definitions

1. Pursuing ideals that are unrealistic or impractical, often in a romantic or chivalrous manner
2. Marked by impractical romanticism and naively foolish pursuit of lofty but unattainable goals
3. Characterized by extravagant idealism and rash enthusiasm for noble causes that have little chance of success

Etymology: Miguel de Cervantes published the first part of his novel about a country gentleman who reads so many chivalric romances that he sets out as a knight-errant, tilting at windmills and mistaking inns for castles, and the name of that deluded hero has become an English adjective. "Quixote" is the Spanish surname of Don Quixote, and "quixotic" is simply that name with the English suffix "-ic," which turns a proper name into a describing word, so the adjective means something like "in the manner of Don Quixote." The adjective describes an idealism so impractical that it ignores reality, which is precisely the trait that makes the fictional knight both comic and touching. Cervantes's character pursues chivalric virtue in a world that no longer has room for it, and the word carries that mixture of noble intention and foolish execution.

Synonyms: idealistic, impractical, romantic, fanciful, visionary

Antonyms: practical, realistic, sensible, pragmatic, down-to-earth