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

While many of the building’s original features—including the soaring stucco ceilings decorated with a sun motif - have been preserved, the look and feel are more 21st-century magpie than slavish historical reverence. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026

So now here’s Martha just seeing single magpies all over the place. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 6 Mar. 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