centerfold
Noun: 1. A large, often fold-out illustration, typically a photograph, that occupies the center spread of a magazine. This is the primary meaning, most famously associated with a photograph of a nude or semi-nude model in certain men's magazines. 2. The model featured in such a photograph. By extension, the term can refer to the person who is the subject of the centerfold.
The word is used as a countable noun. It specifically refers to the physical feature within a magazine or the person depicted in it. * The magazine's most popular issue always features a stunning centerfold. * She became famous after appearing as the centerfold in that publication.
- He carefully unfolded the centerfold to see the full-page poster.
- The former centerfold later pursued a career in acting.
- This issue's centerfold is a detailed map of the ancient Roman Empire.
- Cultural Reference: The term is strongly associated with magazine, which popularized the concept of the nude centerfold model. It can carry connotations related to sexuality, objectification, or a specific era of pop culture.
- Metaphorical Use: Informally, "centerfold" can be used to describe someone considered extremely attractive, alluding to the magazine feature.
- He looks like he just stepped out of a centerfold.
- Center spread (n): A more general term for any feature (photo, advertisement, article) that occupies the two facing pages in the middle of a magazine or newspaper. A centerfold is a specific type of center spread.
- Foldout (n): A page in a book or magazine that is larger than the others and is designed to be opened out. A centerfold is often a foldout.
- Pictorial spread
- Feature spread
- Foldout (when referring to the physical attribute)
- Pin-up (when referring to the model or the style of photograph)
While overwhelmingly associated with magazines, in a very broad and less common sense, "centerfold" could technically describe any central, fold-out feature in a publication, such as a large map or diagram in a reference magazine, as shown in one example. However, the dominant cultural meaning relates to photographs of models.
- a magazine center spread; especially a foldout of a large photograph or map or other feature