magpie

American  

[mag-pahy] / ˈmægˌpaɪ /

noun

1. either of two corvine birds, Pica pica black-billed magpie, of Eurasia and North America, or P. nuttalli yellow-billed magpie, of California, having long, graduated tails, black-and-white plumage, and noisy, mischievous habits.

2. any of several related corvine birds.

3. any of several black-and-white birds not related to the true magpies, as Gymnorhina tibicen, of Australia.

4. an incessantly talkative person; noisy chatterer; chatterbox.

5. a person who collects or hoards things, especially indiscriminately.

6. Western U.S. a black-and-white cow or steer, as a Holstein.

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magpie British  

/ ˈmæɡˌpaɪ /

noun

1. any of various passerine birds of the genus Pica, esp P. pica, having a black-and-white plumage, long tail, and a chattering call: family Corvidae (crows, etc)

2. any of various similar birds of the Australian family Cracticidae See also butcherbird

3. any of various other similar or related birds

4. (often capital) a variety of domestic fancy pigeon typically having black-and-white markings

5. a person who hoards small objects

6. a person who chatters

7. 1. the outmost ring but one on a target

   2. a shot that hits this ring

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Etymology

Origin of magpie

1595–1605; Mag Margaret + pie ²

Explanation

A magpie is a loud-voiced black and white bird. If someone calls you a magpie, you should probably quiet down. The magpie is a distinctive looking bird, with glossy black and brilliant white markings. Its sound is nearly as striking, famously noisy and almost jarring. This has led to another meaning of magpie, "someone who talks obnoxiously." You might describe your chatterbox neighbor as a magpie — and the word itself comes from the nickname Mag, short for Margaret and commonly used in slang English to mean "idle chattering."

Example Sentences

Magpie architects like Roth sometimes build flawed nests.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

Mourinho described himself as a "little Magpie" to Portuguese press last month due to his respect for his mentor and former Newcastle boss Bobby Robson, who is immortalised by a statue at St. James' Park.

From Barron's • Oct. 21, 2025

The British actress is known for appearing in Star Wars films including The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, as well as the recent dramas Magpie and Young Woman and The Sea.

From BBC • Aug. 7, 2024

In recent years, this shoe box in Petworth has hosted a handful of restaurants, including Magpie and the Tiger, Pom Pom and the late, great Himitsu.

From Washington Post • Jan. 24, 2023

But here even Victoria was surprised, for her father agreed with her mother, saying that working in the bar at the Seventh Magpie was something that a well-brought-up young lady would not do.

From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman

Related Words

• debater
• orator