tabloid
TAB-loyd
/ˈtæb.lɔɪd/
A newspaper emphasizing sensational stories, gossip, and large photos, or the sensational style characteristic of such papers.
Implies low literary standards, emotional manipulation, and a focus on scandal rather than serious news.
The story behind the word. In 1884, the pharmaceutical company Burroughs Wellcome & Co. trademarked 'Tabloid' for their compressed chemical tablets. Because these pills were compact and concentrated, journalists began using the word metaphorically to describe papers that condensed news into brief, punchy, sensational stories.
Word relationships
- rag: A far more derogatory informal term for a low-quality newspaper.
- broadsheet: A large-format newspaper associated with serious, in-depth journalism.
Commonly confused with
- gazette: A gazette is an official government or community paper, whereas a tabloid focuses on sensational popular stories.
Collocations
- tabloid press
- tabloid journalism
- tabloid scandal
Example sentences
- "The tabloid published front-page rumors about the royal divorce before any official announcement was made." Publishing
Memory hook
TABloid = news squished into a small TABLET packed with dramatic flavor. Compressed news pill.
When not to use
Do not use to describe broadsheet or investigative news organizations.
Fun facts
- The pharmaceutical company sued several publishers in the early 1900s for trademark infringement over the word tabloid, but lost as the term became generic.
Related words
Explore more words
sensationalism, scoop, exposé, journalism, columnist, clickbait
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