Maggie
Maggie (noun) means an informal name for a magpie or a similar-looking Australian bird such as the Australian magpie. Example: “A pair of maggies swooped at cyclists near the park every spring.”
How to Use Maggie
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual, especially Australian, nickname for a magpie.
Word Forms
maggies plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
A pair of _____ swooped at cyclists near the park every spring.
Etymology
Shortened from "magpie" plus the diminutive ending -ie; unrelated to the given name Maggie, which is a nickname for Margaret.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Maggie
See all rhymes for Maggie →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Maggie” mean?
The word “Maggie” means an informal name for a magpie or a similar-looking Australian bird such as the Australian magpie. In plain terms, a casual, especially Australian, nickname for a magpie.
How do you pronounce “Maggie”?
“Maggie” is pronounced MA-gee (/ˈmæɡi/ in IPA).
How do you use “Maggie” in a sentence?
Here is “Maggie” used in a sentence: “A pair of maggies swooped at cyclists near the park every spring.”
What part of speech is “Maggie”?
“Maggie” is a noun.
Is “Maggie” a common word?
“Maggie” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What bird does the name Maggie refer to?
Maggie is an informal name for a magpie or a similar-looking bird, such as the Australian magpie. It functions as a nickname rather than a formal species name.
Is Maggie only used in Australia to refer to a bird?
The term is especially associated with the Australian magpie, a bird commonly nicknamed Maggie in Australian English. The informal use as a bird name is most familiar in that regional context.
Is Maggie also used as a personal name?
Yes, Maggie is widely used as a nickname for the personal name Margaret, separate from its informal use as a bird name. Context, such as talking about wildlife versus talking about a person, makes clear which sense is meant.