kwik-SOT-ik
Quixotic means extremely idealistic and unrealistic, especially in pursuing romantic or noble goals that ignore practical limitations. Like Don Quixote fighting windmills, quixotic endeavors are admirably passionate but ultimately impractical.
26
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
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Playing QUIXOTIC uses all 8 tiles (7 from rack + 1 on board), earning a 50-point bingo bonus in Scrabble! Total potential: 76 points before multipliers.
Quixotic describes something that is extremely idealistic, unrealistic, and impractical, especially in the pursuit of lofty, romantic, or chivalrous goals. The term originates from the character Don Quixote, the protagonist of Miguel de Cervantes' novel, who was known for his wildly impractical adventures and impossible dreams.
In modern usage, calling something quixotic suggests it is admirably idealistic but foolishly impractical. It often implies a noble but naive attempt to achieve the impossible, characterized by romantic notions that ignore practical realities. While the word can carry a slightly negative connotation of impracticality, it also acknowledges the nobility and passion behind such idealistic pursuits.
The word occupies a unique space in English, simultaneously praising someone's high ideals while gently criticizing their disconnect from reality. A quixotic person might campaign for world peace through poetry, attempt to revolutionize society single-handedly, or pursue any grand vision without considering practical obstacles.
In word games, quixotic is particularly valuable due to its high-scoring letters, including the challenging 'Q' and 'X'. Its eight letters make it eligible for bingo bonuses, adding 50 extra points to your score when you use all seven tiles from your rack plus one on the board. The combination of common vowels with high-value consonants makes it more playable than many other Q-X words.
The word "quixotic" entered English in the early 19th century (around 1815-1820), derived directly from the character Don Quixote de la Mancha, the protagonist of Miguel de Cervantes' 1605 novel "Don Quixote." The character was famous for his delusions of grandeur and chivalrous but impractical adventures, including his famous attack on windmills he believed were giants.
The progression from proper noun to adjective followed this path:
The suffix "-ic" was added to "Quixote" to create an adjective, following the pattern of words like "heroic" or "tragic." The term quickly gained popularity in English literature and political discourse to describe idealistic but impractical schemes or behaviors. Notable early users included Lord Byron and Washington Irving, who helped establish its place in literary English.
Words with similar meaning
Idealistic
Unrealistically aiming for perfection
Romantic
Imaginative but impractical
Visionary
Having noble but unrealistic ideas
Utopian
Impossibly perfect or ideal
Fanciful
Imaginative to the point of being unrealistic
Chivalrous
Courteous and gallant, sometimes excessively
Words with opposite meaning
Pragmatic
Dealing with things sensibly and realistically
Realistic
Having a practical view of situations
Practical
Concerned with actual use rather than theory
Sensible
Having good judgment; reasonable
Down-to-earth
Practical and realistic in approach
Hardheaded
Practical and not influenced by emotion
Adverb Form
quixotically
He quixotically pursued his dream of world peace.
Noun Form
quixotism / quixotry
Her quixotism was both inspiring and concerning.
Related Terms
An idealistic but impractical mission
A romantic but unrealistic journey
An impossible aspiration
A passionate but futile campaign
Total base points: 26 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 4 | Consonants: 4
High-value letters: Q, X (18 pts combined)
No valid 8-letter anagrams exist
Partial anagrams (7 letters):
Can be extended to:
💡 Tip: This word is unique and has no full anagrams, making it memorable for word games!
If you can't play QUIXOTIC, consider these subwords:
"His quixotic plan to solve world hunger by teaching everyone to grow their own food was admirable but ultimately impractical."
"The startup's quixotic mission to make social media completely ad-free while remaining profitable puzzled investors."
"Despite the quixotic nature of her campaign, she inspired thousands with her vision of a carbon-neutral city by 2030."
Lord Byron (1819): "The quixotic expedition to Greece proved both his idealism and impracticality."
Washington Irving (1828): "His quixotic notions of honor belonged to a bygone age."
George Orwell (1946): "The quixotic attempt to preserve individual freedom in a totalitarian state."
Often used to describe idealistic political campaigns or policies that ignore practical constraints. Examples include universal basic income proposals, complete nuclear disarmament, or eliminating all national borders.
Applied to startups with noble but unrealistic business models, such as providing free services without ads or revenue, or attempting to disrupt entrenched industries without sufficient resources.
The term appears in film reviews, book critiques, and character descriptions. The musical "Man of La Mancha" (1965) brought Don Quixote's story to Broadway, popularizing the quixotic hero archetype.
Not the same as "exotic"
Exotic means foreign/unusual, not idealistic
Not always negative
Can be admiring of noble intentions
Requires idealistic element
Not just any impractical idea
Pronunciation: kwik-SOT-ik
Not "qui-ZOT-ic" or "KWIX-otic"
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