tabloid
Tabloid (noun) means a newspaper printed at roughly half the size of a broadsheet, typically known for punchy, sensational stories rather than sober reporting. Example: “The tabloid ran the celebrity breakup as its front-page story.”
How to use tabloid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small-format newspaper (or a style of reporting) built around scandal, gossip, and eye-catching headlines rather than in-depth news.
Calling coverage "tabloid" is usually a criticism, implying it is sensationalized or unreliable.
Word forms
tabloided past tense, tabloids plural, tabloids singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ ran the celebrity breakup as its front-page story.
Etymology
Originally a 19th-century trademark for medicine compressed into small tablets (tabl(et) + -oid); the sense later stretched to mean anything condensed, and then specifically to the small, sensational newspaper format.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for tabloid
See all rhymes for tabloid →Frequently asked questions
What does “tabloid” mean?
The word “tabloid” means a newspaper printed at roughly half the size of a broadsheet, typically known for punchy, sensational stories rather than sober reporting. In plain terms, a small-format newspaper (or a style of reporting) built around scandal, gossip, and eye-catching headlines rather than in-depth news.
How do you pronounce “tabloid”?
“Tabloid” is pronounced TAB-loyd (/ˈtæbˌlɔɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “tabloid” in a sentence?
Here is “tabloid” used in a sentence: “The tabloid ran the celebrity breakup as its front-page story.”
What part of speech is “tabloid”?
Depending on how it is used, “tabloid” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “tabloid” come from?
The word “tabloid” dates back to around 1800. Originally a 19th-century trademark for medicine compressed into small tablets (tabl(et) + -oid); the sense later stretched to mean anything condensed, and then specifically to the small, sensational newspaper format.
Is “tabloid” a common word?
“Tabloid” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “tabloid” have?
“Tabloid” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a newspaper printed at roughly half the size of a broadsheet, typically known for punchy, sensational stories rather than sober reporting.