tabloid

[ tab-loid ]

noun

1. a newspaper whose pages, usually five columns wide, are about one-half the size of a standard-sized newspaper page.
2. a newspaper this size concentrating on sensational and lurid news, usually heavily illustrated.
3. a short form or version; condensation; synopsis; summary.

adjective

1. compressed or condensed in or as if in a tabloid:

   a tabloid article; a tabloid account of the adventure.

2. luridly or vulgarly sensational.

tabloid

/ ˈtæblɔɪd /

noun

1. a newspaper with pages about 30 cm (12 inches) by 40 cm (16 inches), usually characterized by an emphasis on photographs and a concise and often sensational style Compare broadsheet
2. modifier designed to appeal to a mass audience or readership; sensationalist

   the tabloid press

   tabloid television

Other Words From

• tabloid·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tabloid¹

First recorded in 1905–10; tabl(et) + -oid

Word History and Origins

Origin of tabloid¹

C20: from earlier Tabloid, a trademark for a medicine in tablet form

Example Sentences

Jimmy Lai, the 76-year-old founder of the now-defunct Hong Kong tabloid Apple Daily, is taking the stand on Wednesday in a national security trial that may see him sentenced to life imprisonment.

From BBC

They agreed to keep their split out of the tabloids and continued to do their show together as though nothing had happened.

From Los Angeles Times

The British tabloid the Sun claims in their report of the burglary that Prince William and his family are believed to have been home at the time.

From Salon

A few months ago, during the Paris Games, Wasserman was the subject of a tabloid report that resulted in some outsiders suggesting he step down.

From Los Angeles Times

James Van Der Beek says a tabloid threat prompted him to quickly go public with his cancer diagnosis: ‘There’s no playbook for how to announce these things.’

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• paper