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

Prosecutors presented evidence detailing how The National Enquirer, the supermarket tabloid, played a central role in the conspiracy with its catch-and-kill strategy of buying and burying negative stories about Trump and publishing sensational and false ones about his rivals. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 3 July 2024

As for his personal life, Cruise's three marriages played out for years across supermarket tabloid covers. —Danny Horn, EW.com, 30 June 2024

Adjective

Elsewhere in the interview, Hammer discussed selling timeshares in the Cayman Islands, which became tabloid fodder in 2022 after photos of the actor working at a hotel resort surfaced online. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 15 July 2024

Doherty rose to fame playing a slew of complicated characters in Heathers and Beverly Hills, 90210, a reputation painted as imitating real life as the actress captivated tabloid attention with rumors of high-profile feuds and a string of engagements and marriages. —Ale Russian, Rolling Stone, 14 July 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