Words / C2

kwik-SOT-ik/kwɪkˈsɒtɪk/

Quixotic means noble, romantic, and hopelessly impractical — from Don Quixote tilting at windmills. Unrealistic is everyday and flatter; idealistic can still succeed. A quixotic plan has charm and no working budget. In speech, say brave but unrealistic or a lovely idea that will not work; quixotic is a critic’s compliment-insult. Use it when the motive is decent, not when the plan is merely stupid.

Meaning

Unrealistic and impractical, in a romantic or noble way.

Examples

• “His quixotic plan was to learn C2 in a month.”
• “Funding a library with busking was a quixotic gesture.”
• “Her quixotic campaign to reply to every troll lasted a week.”

Good to know

Nobly impractical. Everyday: unrealistic (but that misses the romance). Literary/critical.

Near in meaning

idealistic

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