tabloid

1 of 2

noun

tab·​loid ˈta-ˌblȯid 

1

: a newspaper that is about half the page size of an ordinary newspaper and that contains news in condensed form and much photographic matter

2

: digest, summary

tabloid

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or resembling tabloids

especially : featuring stories of violence, crime, or scandal presented in a sensational manner

tabloid television

2

: compressed or condensed into small scope

tabloid criticism

tabloidism

ˈta-ˌblȯi-ˌdi-zəm 

noun

Examples of tabloid in a Sentence

Noun

She is used to seeing her name in the tabloids.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

From there, tabloids began documenting her and Richie's rift. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

The 51-year-old actor aged out of his pretty-boy phase years ago, and is several decades past being a celebrity trolled by toxic tabloids. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Dec. 2024

Adjective

The former prosecutor announced her engagement to Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr. in 2022, though questions about the couple’s current relationship status dogged tabloid headlines on Tuesday. —Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024

On Tuesday morning, hours before Trump's ambassador announcement, tabloid photos of Don Jr. holding hands with a Palm Beach socialite (also spotted in the family box at the RNC this summer) fueled rumors about a breakup. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from Tabloid, a trademark

First Known Use

Noun

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

tabloid

noun

tab·​loid

ˈtab-ˌlȯid

: a newspaper about half the page size of an ordinary newspaper containing short often sensational news stories and many photographs