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
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Noun
The mysterious spirit animal messengers that Ji-noo sends, a tiger and a magpie who represent the nobles and commoners of many Korean folk tales, needed to be otherworldly without being fully demonic. Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025 According to the Korean Folk Art website, tigers were believed to keep away evil spirits, while magpies brought good news, and the animals were painted together to make a strong pairing. Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025
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 language and structure of King’s sermons, tapping into this magpie tradition of oral performance, had many sources. Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for magpie

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Magpie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magpie. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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

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