Copy Citation
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ1
: 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
Synonyms
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
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
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
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
Phrases Containing rumor
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.
More from Merriam-Webster on rumor
Nglish: Translation of rumor for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of rumor for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Name That Hat!
Time to put on your thinking cap.
Take the quiz
-
Name That Flower
Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
Take the quiz
-
True or False?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something a...
Take the quiz
-
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Share