English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
Login Flashcards
noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

tabloid

TAB-loyd
Quiz me More like this

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.”

noun
1
A newspaper printed at roughly half the size of a broadsheet, typically known for punchy, sensational stories rather than sober reporting.
"The tabloid ran the celebrity breakup as its front-page story."
"She dismissed the rumor as tabloid gossip."
adj
1
Written or presented in a sensational, attention-grabbing style typical of tabloid newspapers.
"The documentary was criticized for its tabloid approach to a serious topic."

How to use tabloid

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small-format newspaper (or a style of reporting) built around scandal, gossip, and eye-catching headlines rather than in-depth news.

When to use it

Calling coverage "tabloid" is usually a criticism, implying it is sensationalized or unreliable.

Common pairings
a tabloid newspaper tabloid headlines tabloid press tabloid journalism
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like tabloid.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

Plural
tabloids
Third person singular
tabloids
Past tense
tabloided
Test yourself on “tabloid” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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.

· First attested 1800

Class of 1800 tabloid joined the language around 1800.
alcohol Aryan Australia availability bah
See the full Class of 1800 →

Synonyms

View more →
sheet tab rag yellow journalism

Antonyms

broadsheet

Related words

page bill paper ride plane newspaper panel label

Rhymes for tabloid

void geoid avoid hyoid droid devoid adenoid android steroid typhoid thyroid alkaloid
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.

People also searched

page bill paper ride plane newspaper panel label