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
Jack Beresford, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
In a video filmed on a and shared with Newsweek, viewers are treated to a front-row seat for the most unusual meeting between a magpie and a muntjac deer.
—Jack Beresford, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Ebony-Renee Baker, refinery29.com, 4 Sep. 2024
The aloof downtown intellectual, named Luc by her Belgian parents, is a poetic essayist with a magpie mind and a talent for archive spelunking.
—Carl Swanson, Vulture, 9 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for magpie
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The magpie can be seen plucking at the muntjac's coat.
—Jack Beresford, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
In a video filmed on a and shared with Newsweek, viewers are treated to a front-row seat for the most unusual meeting between a magpie and a muntjac deer.
—Jack Beresford, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 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 aloof downtown intellectual, named Luc by her Belgian parents, is a poetic essayist with a magpie mind and a talent for archive spelunking.
—Carl Swanson, Vulture, 9 Feb. 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 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share