penny dreadful

"Penny dreadfuls" were popular in Victorian England, offering sensational and lurid stories for a low price.

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Definition

(historical)An inexpensive, sensational publication featuring stories of crime, horror, and adventure, popular in 19th-century England.

Many young readers were captivated by the thrilling tales found in penny dreadfuls.
The term 'penny dreadful' originated from the low cost and sensational content of these publications.

(informal)A term used to describe any sensational and melodramatic story, often with themes of crime or horror.

The new TV series has been described as a modern penny dreadful due to its shocking and dramatic plot.

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "penny dreadful":