rumor

1 of 2

noun

ru·​mor ˈrü-mər 

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

2

: 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

rumor

2 of 2

verb

rumored; rumoring

transitive verb

: to tell or spread by rumor

Synonyms of rumor

Noun

• gossip
• report
• talk
• whisper
• hearsay
• noise

Verb

• whisper
• reveal
• hint
• circulate

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

In 2014, Khamenei's office released pictures of the leader in a hospital recovering from prostate surgery, prompting constant rumors about his deteriorating health. —Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026

While Sheikh Dibo sparred with ISIS, a rumor spread through the city that he’d been detained. —Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026

Verb

In the film’s most intriguing twist, the killer initially introduces himself via FaceTime as Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard), who famously died in the first movie but has been rumored over the years to have survived. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026

Jennie was rumored to be dating V of BTS in 2022 and part of 2023. —Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 27 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for rumor

• boomer
• humor
• humour
• plumer
• rumour
• tumor
• tumour
• antitumor
• pseudotumor
• consumer
• perfumer

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