magpie

1 of 2

noun

mag·​pie ˈmag-ˌpī How to pronounce magpie (audio)
1
: any of various birds (especially Pica pica) related to the jays but having a long graduated tail and black-and-white or brightly colored plumage
2
: a person who chatters noisily
3
: one who collects indiscriminately

Illustration of magpie

Illustration of magpie
  • magpie 1

magpie

2 of 2

adjective

1
: collected indiscriminately : miscellaneous
magpie compilations of unrelated tidbitsHelen R. Cross
2
: given to indiscriminate collecting : acquisitive
what possible magpie instinct had impelled me to retain themS. J. Perelman

Examples of magpie in a Sentence

Noun media magpies will no doubt seize upon the president's latest gaffe and blow it all out of proportion Adjective a pack rat whose cramped apartment is filled with a magpie collection of books, old newspapers, and tchotchkes
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Just take Bailey’s experience with the common UK superstition of saluting magpies for good luck. Erica Sloan, SELF, 2 Oct. 2024 Her magpie collecting led her to her early jewelry, with friends asking her for pieces. Thomas Waller, WWD, 16 Sep. 2024
Adjective
Next Zara always nails its accessory selection, from stylish shoes to statement handbags and jewellery that will satisfy all your magpie cravings. Ebony-Renee Baker, refinery29.com, 4 Sep. 2024 The aloof downtown intellectual, named Luc by her Belgian parents, is a poetic essayist with a magpie mind and a talent for archive spelunking. Carl Swanson, Vulture, 9 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for magpie 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'magpie.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Mag (nickname for Margaret) + pie entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of magpie was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near magpie

Cite this Entry

“Magpie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magpie. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

magpie

noun
mag·​pie
ˈmag-ˌpī
1
: any of various noisy birds related to the jays but having a long tail and black-and-white feathers
2
: a person who chatters constantly

More from Merriam-Webster on magpie

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!