pixie

1 of 2

noun

pix·​ie ˈpik-sē How to pronounce pixie (audio)
variants or less commonly pixy
plural pixies
1
: fairy
specifically : a cheerful mischievous sprite
2
: a usually petite vivacious woman or girl
3
or pixie cut : a haircut worn by women and children that is very short all over the head or especially short only at the sides and back of the head
Princess Diana's pixie cut became completely iconic, and almost as famous as the princess herself, inspiring many generations since to try the elegant look.Isobel Larkin
pixieish adjective

pixie

2 of 2

adjective

variants or less commonly pixy
: playfully mischievous
pixiness noun

Did you know?

Is it pixelated or pixilated?

Pixelated is used to describe digital images in which individual pixels are discernable, as when you look closely at a large photo and can see the tiny dots that make up the image. Pixilated (coined from pixie, a pixie being a cheerful, mischievous sprite) is usually used to describe things considered whimsical, or people who seem dazed or lost in thought. While pixelated is a late 20th century coinage, pixilated has been in use since the mid-19th century.

Examples of pixie in a Sentence

Noun leave a dish of milk and some bread out for the pixies Adjective resorted to some pixie high jinks to liven up the office party
Recent Examples on the Web
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 30-year-old hasn’t directly spoken about coming out, but has posted several photos showing off their new look, recently chopping off their previously shoulder length hair into a pixie cut. Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024 Fellow singer Tyla dug deeper into the actress’ past and donned her own pixie cut to become Berry as Sharon Stone from 1994’s The Flintstones. Shania Russell, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
But in a new post added to Instagram, Mayim decided to make a more dramatic and permanent switch to her hairstyle by chopping it off into a semi-pixie cut. Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 30 Mar. 2023 The cute little 4-year-old boldly shouted when someone asked her where pixie dust comes from. San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2022 See all Example Sentences for pixie 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1636, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pixie was circa 1636

Dictionary Entries Near pixie

Cite this Entry

“Pixie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pixie. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

pixie

noun
pix·​ie
variants also pixy
ˈpik-sē
plural pixies
: a mischievous elf or fairy
pixieish
-sē-ish
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on pixie

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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