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

Backlash Over Picture of Archie and Lilibet British tabloids were, however, quick to seize on the fact Meghan had posted a photo with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet hours earlier in which their faces were not visible. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025

Photo: Jeff French Segall Eager to defend his honor, Segall provided raw versions of the photos to the Post, which the tabloid determined to be genuine. —Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 21 Mar. 2025

Adjective

Susan Lucci and Maury Povich to receive Lifetime Achievement Honors at the Daytime Emmys The tabloid nature of the talk show aside, Povich began his career as a broadcast journalist, working as a reporter and sportscaster for station WTTG in Washington, D.C. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 2 Apr. 2025

The Instagram post from the normally private Woods confirms weeks of rumors and tabloid speculation about the relationship. —Patrick Smith, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2025

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