pixie

noun pix·ie \ ˈpik-sē \

variants: or less commonly pixy

|Updated on: 16 Jul 2018

Examples: pixie in a Sentence

Definition of pixie

plural pixies

1 : fairy; specifically : a cheerful mischievous sprite

2 : a usually petite vivacious woman or girl

—

pixieish

play \ˈpik-sē-ish\ adjective

See pixie defined for English-language learners

See pixie defined for kids

Examples of pixie in a Sentence

leave a dish of milk and some bread out for the pixies

Recent Examples of pixie from the Web

The star opted not to shave her head but instead cut her locks into a long pixie cut.

— karen mizoguchi, PEOPLE.com, "Bollywood Star Shares Emotional Video of Her Cutting Her Hair Off Before Cancer Treatment," 10 July 2018
But Gillespie didn't just let hairstylist Guido snip her hair into a chest-grazing style or even a chin-length bob — Guido gave Gillespie a breathtaking pixie cut with blunt bangs.

— marci robin, Allure, "Model Lucan Gillespie Cut Three Feet Off Her Hair Into a Pixie for Miu Miu's Runway Show," 2 July 2018
In the nearly 30 years that Céline Dion has been an international superstar, the powerhouse vocalist has done her fair share of experimentation with hairstyles, from her naturally dark-brown curls to a platinum pixie cut.

— marci robin, Allure, "Celine Dion Looks Like a Different Person With Super-Blonde Bangs," 29 June 2018
The California nanny was a breath of fresh air for many viewers; her chic pixie cut and bold earrings set her apart from the show’s conventions right away .

— de elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Bekah Martinez on "The Bachelor," Social Media Bullying, and Hair Secrets," 27 June 2018
Gordon, 64, sports a pixie haircut, neat dresses and horn-rimmed glasses.

— andrea k. mcdaniels, Washington Post, "Baltimore rapper and professor form unlikely friendship over health disparities," 21 June 2018
Rodríguez Besosa, whose pixie cut and thin limbs give her the appearance of a rangy Peter Pan, stands with a shovel by beds of cilantro, mustard greens, and kale.

— tamar adler, Vogue, "The Young Farmers Behind Puerto Rico’s Food Revolution," 20 June 2018
Gordon sports a pixie haircut, neat dresses and horn-rimmed glasses.

— andrea k. mcdaniels, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore rapper and professor form unlikely friendship over health disparities class centered on "The Wire"," 13 June 2018
Messi was undoubtedly active and influential, although the finishing pixie apparently abandoned him and his teammates.

— paul carr, SI.com, "Inside the Numbers of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup Past," 12 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pixie.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pixie

origin unknown

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1636

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

pixie Synonyms

Synonyms

brownie, dwarf, elf, faerie (also faery), fairy, gnome, goblin, gremlin, hobgoblin, leprechaun, puck, sprite, troll;

Related Words

little people;

changeling;

imp;

banshee, ghoul, hag, ogre;

Other Mythology and Folklore Terms

elysian, fay, muse, nimbus, phoenix

pixie

adjective

variants: or less commonly pixy

Definition of pixie

: playfully mischievous

—

pixiness

noun

Examples of pixie in a Sentence

resorted to some pixie high jinks to liven up the office party

Recent Examples of pixie from the Web

The pixie dust, the halo around media moguls is still financially there anyway if not maybe there in the eyeballs.

— eric johnson, Recode, "‘The King of Content’ author Keach Hagey talks with Peter Kafka about Sumner Redstone’s crazy life," 28 June 2018
Chico’s actual performance consists of a couple of numbers on the piano in that famous pixie style.

— johnny miller, SFChronicle.com, "Beatty booed at Candlestick Park," 28 June 2018
Glitter Bangs Forget pixie-like sprinklings of sparkles—Maison Margiela's light-catching hair is coated, molded, and reminiscent of otherworldly glitter glue.

— calin van paris, Vogue, "6 Beauty Tricks to Steal from the Mens Runways, From Glitter Bangs to Straight Edge Bobs," 25 June 2018
The weeks after the pixie dust sprinkling (actually caused by ideal water temperatures) are like Christmas for bass anglers.

— jordan rodriguez, idahostatesman, "Late-spring fishing is prime time for bass. Here's how to take advantage.," 1 June 2018
Well, Emma just got way closer to achieving pixie status, thanks to a brand new cut by hairstylist Chris McMillan, who also counts Nina Dobrev as a client.

— helena yeung, Teen Vogue, "Emma Roberts Debuts Short Bob Haircut from Chris McMillan," 31 May 2018
There are a lot of people that have been involved in this, but his pixie dust is spread throughout this building.

— kevin baxter, latimes.com, "How LAFC rose from the ashes of Chivas USA and aims to be the team of Los Angeles," 27 Apr. 2018
With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever.

— Cincinnati.com, "Win Tickets to Finding Neverland," 26 Sep. 2017
The star of The Fault in Our Stars and Divergent dyed her long pixie bright blonde, leaving her roots a natural brunette to provide contrast.

— julie kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Shailene Woodley Takes Her Slicked-Back Pixie Blonde," 2 Oct. 2014

First Known Use of pixie

1943

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

PIXIE Defined for English Language Learners

pixie

noun

Definition of pixie for English Language Learners

: an imaginary creature that looks like a small person and has magical powers

PIXIE Defined for Kids

pixie

noun pix·ie

variants: also pixy \ˈpik-sē\

Definition of pixie for Students

plural pixies

: a mischievous elf or fairy

Learn More about pixie

See words that rhyme with pixie Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pixie Spanish Central: Translation of pixie Nglish: Translation of pixie for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pixie for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pixie

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pixie

Definition of pixie

pixieish

Examples of pixie in a Sentence

Recent Examples of pixie from the Web

Origin and Etymology of pixie

pixie Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Mythology and Folklore Terms

pixie

Definition of pixie

pixiness

Examples of pixie in a Sentence

Recent Examples of pixie from the Web

First Known Use of pixie

PIXIE Defined for English Language Learners

pixie

Definition of pixie for English Language Learners

PIXIE Defined for Kids

pixie

Definition of pixie for Students

Learn More about pixie

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