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

For decades, though, the tabloids were filled with the weird, only-in-New York phenomenon whereby the rich, accomplished, and famous — Gloria Vanderbilt, Ron Perelman, Diane Keaton, Steve Wynn, Richard Nixon — were routinely barred from buying in the city’s most desirable buildings. —Kim Velsey, Curbed, 13 Aug. 2025

The phone-hacking scandal sent shockwaves through British society for years from 2009 and led to the closure of a Sunday tabloid, the News of the World, published by Murdoch's News Group Newspapers. —Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025

Adjective

Davidson explained that being a tabloid fixture during his high-profile relationship with ex-fiancée Ariana Grande was often humiliating for him. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2025

Reflecting on that tumultuous period last year, Turner told British Vogue that the tabloid stories questioning her parenting skills and accusing her of constant partying made the situation especially painful. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 11 Aug. 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