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

The pull of the scandalous Spencer lore is simply too much for the tabloids to resist. — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026

In 2002, the actor was photographed by a British tabloid in bed with three other women. — Emma Kershaw, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026

Adjective

His comeback album, Bully, was released in March after several years in which the rap superstar and tabloid regular’s life spiraled into chaos. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

There’s still plenty to enjoy in West’s plummy and gentlemanly performance; both Miller and West, in fact, are aces at oozing posh resentment, and, to the show’s advantage, they have both been caught in tabloid relationship drama of their own. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 1 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