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
Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 1 June 2026
The district further encouraged the public to report dead birds — particularly crows, jays, and magpies which are especially susceptible to the West Nile virus — to the California Department of Public Health to aid with mosquito surveillance and control efforts.
—Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
The chain-mail that has become synonymous with the brand also popped up, but was used in a more magpie way, paired with clashing chunky knits.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
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Noun
Pack your binoculars to look for bird species, like magpie, as well.
—Julia Sayers Gokhale, Midwest Living, 1 June 2026
The district further encouraged the public to report dead birds — particularly crows, jays, and magpies which are especially susceptible to the West Nile virus — to the California Department of Public Health to aid with mosquito surveillance and control efforts.
—Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026
Adjective
Lloyd Webber’s score is a natural fit for this interpretation because of his magpie instincts.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
The chain-mail that has become synonymous with the brand also popped up, but was used in a more magpie way, paired with clashing chunky knits.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for magpie
Cite this Entry
“Magpie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magpie. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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