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

Their dalliances with elite men made the tabloids, and their biographies were printed in guidebooks. — H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2026

Its volume became such a point of contention in the tabloids that in 2011 there was an episode devoted to Kardashian attempting to prove that the junk in her trunk was, indeed, real. — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 27 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Miller—who is no stranger to extramarital tabloid scandals herself—has also mastered her getting-cheated-on performances. — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026

Meghan’s relationship with her father broke down in the lead-up to her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018, and her relationship with her father attracted intense tabloid interest. — Victoria Craw, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

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