magpie

1 of 2

noun

mag·​pie ˈmag-ˌpī 

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

• magpie 1

magpie

2 of 2

adjective

1

: collected indiscriminately : miscellaneous

… magpie compilations of unrelated tidbits …

—Helen R. Cross

2

: given to indiscriminate collecting : acquisitive

… what possible magpie instinct had impelled me to retain them …

—S. J. Perelman

Synonyms of magpie

Noun

• chatterer
• jay

Adjective

• eclectic

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

Both birds are members of the Corvidae family, which also includes magpies and jays, and both crows and ravens are famously playful and intelligent. — Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026

Even the New York Times got in on the action, with a profile of the eccentric Sitwell (the charms her magpie, Hecate, are impossible to resist). — Kate Aurthur, Variety, 24 June 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

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

Rhymes for magpie

• ai
• aye
• bae
• bi
• buy
• by
• bye
• chai
• chi
• cry
• die
• dry

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