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
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
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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Magpie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magpie. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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