Illustration of magpie
- magpie 1
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
1
: collected indiscriminately : miscellaneous
magpie compilations of unrelated tidbits—
Helen R. Cross
Helen R. Cross2
: given to indiscriminate collecting : acquisitive
what possible magpie instinct had impelled me to retain them—S. J. Perelman
S. J. PerelmanExamples 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
Laura Baisas Aug 13, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2025
The magpie can be seen plucking at the muntjac's coat.
—Jack Beresford, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Denni Hu, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
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
See All Example Sentences for magpie
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Noun
The study looked at five species: the Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen), laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae), crested pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes), rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus), and the scaly breasted lorikeet (Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus).
—Laura Baisas Aug 13, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2025
The magpie can be seen plucking at the muntjac's coat.
—Jack Beresford, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
The collection also features a magpie dice charm and a padlock charm.
—Denni Hu, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
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
See All Example Sentences for magpie
Cite this Entry
“Magpie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magpie. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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