What does quixotical mean?
Quixotical means guided by idealistic or romantic principles that are difficult or impossible to put into practice. It often suggests a generous or admirable motive attached to an unrealistic method: a person may pursue a quixotical quest, devise a quixotical scheme, or act with quixotical idealism. The adjective is commonly used in literary and historical contexts and carries a mildly critical tone, although it can also convey admiration for someone who pursues a noble cause without concern for practical obstacles. Its meaning is closely associated with Don Quixote, the knight-errant whose high-minded efforts were undermined by poor judgment and impractical plans. The related words quixotic and quixotry are more common in modern English, but quixotical remains recognizable and useful when a formal or deliberately old-fashioned tone is wanted.
adjectiveCharacterized by impractical or excessively idealistic schemes, especially those inspired by lofty but unrealistic principles.
- Characterized by idealism that is impractical, unrealistic, or excessively romantic.
"His quixotical plan to transform the entire neighborhood was admired for its generosity but dismissed as impractical."
"The committee rejected the quixotical proposal because it offered no workable timetable."
"Her quixotical determination to preserve every old building led to a passionate campaign for historic preservation."
Quixotical behavior belongs to the world of Don Quixote, whose noble intentions repeatedly led to impractical and disastrous adventures.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of quixotical
The word comes through quixotic from the name Don Quixote, the principal character of Miguel de Cervantes’s early seventeenth-century novel. Quixote's obsessive reading of chivalric romances inspired him to imitate the idealized heroes he admired, often with absurd and impractical consequences. The suffix -al was later added to quixotic, producing the more literary adjective quixotical.
Related word forms
How quixotical is actually used
The word is literary and somewhat old-fashioned. It is often mildly critical, emphasizing that an ideal or scheme is impractical rather than merely unsuccessful.
Easily confused with quixotical
Both words describe impractical idealism, but quixotical is the less common adjective and quixotic is the standard modern form.