1
: talk or opinion widely disseminated with no discernible source
We make our blunders … as rumor has it that you make your own.—
Benjamin N. Cardozo
Benjamin N. Cardozo2
: a statement or report current without known authority for its truth
She accused them of spreading rumors about her.
"Have you heard they broke up?" "That's just a rumor."
3
archaic
: talk or report of a notable person or event
4
: a soft low indistinct sound : murmur
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
Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
Following their separation, Jackman quickly moved on with his The Music Man co-star, Sutton Foster, fueling rumors of an affair between them.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 16 June 2026
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 16 June 2026
Swift and Kelce, who announced their engagement in August 2025, are rumored to be having their wedding over the Fourth of July weekend at New York City's Madison Square Garden.
—Staff Author, InStyle, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rumor
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Noun
The rumors are true—McDonald's has brought back a beloved item that has not been on the menu for more than three decades.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
Following their separation, Jackman quickly moved on with his The Music Man co-star, Sutton Foster, fueling rumors of an affair between them.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 16 June 2026
Verb
The news has been rumored for a long time — Neil Patrick Harris even made a joke about how imminent the announcement was in the Tony Awards opening number.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 16 June 2026
Swift and Kelce, who announced their engagement in August 2025, are rumored to be having their wedding over the Fourth of July weekend at New York City's Madison Square Garden.
—Staff Author, InStyle, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rumor
Cite this Entry
“Rumor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rumor. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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