rumor

1 of 2

noun

ru·​mor ˈrü-mər How to pronounce rumor (audio)
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

Example Sentences

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 See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Diane Kruger supports Norman Reedus' photography exhibit The pair sparked romance rumors after Kruger's split from Jackson when they were seen together at Reedus' 2016 photography exhibition in Paris. Emy Lacroix, Peoplemag, 31 Mar. 2023 Neither of the superstars has confirmed if the rumors are true, but there is mounting speculation hinting that the duo could be more than just friends. Jasmine Washington, Seventeen, 30 Mar. 2023 For years, rumors have swirled regarding the possible release of the collaborative effort between Miller and Madlib. Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2023 Pugh and Gooch first sparked romance rumors last month, when they were photographed holding hands and hugging in London on Valentine's Day. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 27 Mar. 2023 But they were seen together in February this year again, sparking reconciliation rumors. Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 26 Mar. 2023 The two also recently sparked engagement rumors after Bosworth was spotted wearing a diamond ring at the Vanity Fair Oscar party. Brendan Morrow, The Week, 24 Mar. 2023 And rumors have swirled in the small town that his son, Buster, was involved in the 2015 death of 19-year-old Stephen Smith, who was found dead on a road near their property. Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2023 Strong leadership is needed to weather the storm, but rumors are now swirling around Pichai’s tenure coming to a premature end over the blunders made so far. Q.ai - Powering A Personal Wealth Movement, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023
Verb
After the news of Donald Trump’s indictment on Thursday, not a single one of his Republican rivals—announced or rumored—dared criticize the twice-impeached and now formally criminally indicted former president. Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 31 Mar. 2023 Lee's candidacy, which has been rumored for months, is another example of a progressive firebrand in the House looking to leave Washington this year, and run for their top local office instead. Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2023 On Sunday, new Denver coach Sean Payton responded on the record – not rumor, not speculation, not a what-if story. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 26 Mar. 2023 The fabled AirPods Lite which have been rumored in the past, say. David Phelan, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2023 The company has been rumored to be assembling servers for Google. Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2023 But progress on his release had been rumored since last week. Ellen Knickmeyer, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2023 The foldable has been rumored for a long time, and there have been whispers that it would be announced sometime in the next few months. Mitchell Clark, The Verge, 14 Mar. 2023 President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that rather than withdraw from the city, as had been rumored, Ukraine would send reinforcements into Bakhmut, where Ukrainian commanders say the fighting has tied down enormous Russian forces. Anatoly Kurmanaev, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rumor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rumor was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near rumor

Cite this Entry

“Rumor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rumor. Accessed 9 Apr. 2023.

Kids Definition

rumor

1 of 2 noun
ru·​mor ˈrü-mər How to pronounce rumor (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on rumor

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