rumor

1 of 2

noun

ru·​mor ˈrü-mər 

1

: talk or opinion widely disseminated with no discernible source

2

: a statement or report current without known authority for its truth

3

archaic : talk or report of a notable person or event

4

: a soft low indistinct sound : murmur

rumor

2 of 2

verb

rumored; rumoring

transitive verb

: to tell or spread by rumor

Synonyms

Noun

• buzz
• dish
• gossip
• hearsay
• noise
• report
• scuttlebutt
• talk
• tattle
• word

Verb

• bruit (about)
• circulate
• noise (about or abroad)
• whisper

Examples of rumor in a Sentence

Noun

There are rumors that they are making a new film.

She accused him of starting rumors about her.

Ever since his sudden resignation, rumors have been flying.

I heard a rumor that they broke up.

“Did you hear that they broke up?” “That's just a rumor.”

The rumor turned out to be false.

You can't fire him solely based on rumor.

Rumor has it that they broke up.

Verb

for years people have been rumoring the CEO's imminent retirement

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Harry appeared at the New York Times' DealBook summit Wednesday and addressed rumors of a split with Meghan. —Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024

Despite the possibility that he or one of his beloved teammates may get moved before the deadline, trade rumors aren’t really a topic of discussion among Terry and his teammates. —Mat Issa, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Verb

Alex Garland penned the third film (and the first), which originally was rumored to be helmed by Nia DaCosta. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 10 Dec. 2024

Although it is rumored that Lawson is the favorite. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English rumour, from Anglo-French, from Latin rumor clamor, gossip; akin to Old English rēon to lament, Sanskrit rauti he roars

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1548, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rumor

• the rumor mill
• word/rumor has it

Kids Definition

rumor

1 of 2 noun

ru·​mor ˈrü-mər 

1

: a widely held opinion having no known source : hearsay

2

: a statement or story that is in circulation but has not been proved to be true

rumor

2 of 2 verb

rumored; rumoring

ˈrüm-(ə-)riŋ

: to tell by rumor : spread a rumor