# tabloid

/ˈtæbɫɔɪd/ (US) · /tˈæblɔɪd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tabloid
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a newspaper with small pages and many photos, often focusing on gossip or exciting stories. These papers are usually easier to read than serious newspapers.

For teachers: a newspaper with a smaller page size than a broadsheet, typically featuring sensationalist content and simplified prose. Often carries a pejorative connotation when contrasted with 'quality' journalism.

## Examples

- He reads a tabloid every morning on the train.
- The celebrity sued the tabloid for publishing private photos taken during her vacation.
- While broadsheets focus on international policy, the local tabloid prioritizes sensational headlines and human-interest stories to maintain its high circulation numbers.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a modifier before other nouns, such as 'tabloid journalism' or 'tabloid press'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.
