rumor

noun ru·mor \ ˈrü-mər \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of rumor

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

See rumor defined for English-language learners

See rumor defined for kids

Examples of rumor in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of rumor from the Web

Inquiry into what might be going on at the cherry factory did not proceed much beyond rumor and speculation.

— junot díaz, The New Yorker, "The Maraschino Mogul’s Secret Life," 17 Apr. 2018
Other co-workers dismissed that talk as rumor and did not report his behavior to supervisors, according to the records, part of which were redacted.

— emilie eaton, San Antonio Express-News, "Six months after a sex-crimes detective was fired, a woman still waits for justice," 16 Apr. 2018
The birth, which Khloé's mother Kris Jenner confirmed on Twitter, came after months of rumors and speculation surrounding several pregnancies in the famous family.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "Khloé Kardashian Just Revealed the Name of Her Baby Girl," 16 Apr. 2018
Months of mock drafts, rumors and prospects being picked apart is winding down as the first round approaches April 26.

— dave southorn, idahostatesman, "Leighton Vander Esch faces pre-draft injury rumors. Will they have the Ajayi effect? | Idaho Statesman," 16 Apr. 2018
The rumor and misinformation about that program was phenomenal.

— New York Times, "Never Solved, a College Dorm Fire Has Become One Man’s Obsession," 13 Apr. 2018
However, there have been rumors and rumblings for weeks Vogel could get jettisoned and perhaps replaced by former NBA star Jerry Stackhouse, a hot coaching candidate who led Toronto’s G-League team to a championship last year.

— mike bianchi, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Frank Vogel doesn't deserve to be fired by the Orlando Magic," 12 Apr. 2018
Trade rumors and reporters are rampant in the offseason.

— jordan mcpherson, miamiherald, "Did the Dolphins have interest in trading for this Broncos running back? | Miami Herald," 10 Apr. 2018
An insider rebutted the rumors and told PEOPLE at the time that Winstead and McGregor were still dating.

— alexia fernandez, PEOPLE.com, "Ewan McGregor and Mary Elizabeth Winstead Going Strong 6 Months After His Split from Wife," 6 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rumor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of rumor

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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rumor Synonyms

Synonyms

buzz, dish, gossip, hearsay, report, scuttlebutt, talk, tattle, word;

Related Words

tale, whisper, whispering;

hint, intimation, rumbling;

propaganda;

dirt, scandal;

rumor

verb

Definition of rumor

rumored; rumoring

transitive verb

: to tell or spread by rumor

Examples of rumor in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of rumor from the Web

Since the law took effect, a few police and sheriff’s departments around the country have been rumored to hand out badges to buddies or in exchange for cash.

— zachary mider, Bloomberg.com, "Robert Mercer’s Secret Adventure as a New Mexico Cop," 28 Mar. 2018
The rockabilly musician has long been rumored to be the illegitimate child of music legend Jerry Lee Lewis.

— Fox News, "Jason D. Williams didn't want to pursue new DNA test to prove Jerry Lee Lewis is his father," 26 Mar. 2018
And when Ghesquière eventually moves on from Louis Vuitton, as has been rumored to be on the horizon for a few years now?

— ana colon, Glamour, "Here's Why Virgil Abloh's New Job at Louis Vuitton Matters," 26 Mar. 2018
Bolton has long been a presence on Fox News, and in recent months, has been widely rumored as the frontrunner for the National Security Advisor position.

— abigail abrams, Time, "What to Know About John Bolton, President Trump's New National Security Advisor," 24 Mar. 2018
Sweden has been rumored as a possible site for a US-North Korea summit, though a truce village on the South Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone between the Koreas is seen as more likely.

— BostonGlobe.com, "North Korean diplomat heads to Finland for talks with US, South," 18 Mar. 2018
McMaster—whose ouster has been rumored for months—would be gone already, except the White House is concerned about the optics of losing another cabinet member.

— alex shephard, The New Republic, "Trump is systematically removing the guardrails in his cabinet.," 16 Mar. 2018
And even Kelly, who took the helm of the White House last year after his predecessor, Reince Priebus, was unceremoniously ousted, has been rumored to be on the outs with Trump.

— jeff zeleny, CNN, "Kelly, senior aides aim to quiet shake-up rumors," 16 Mar. 2018
Pompeo, who has long been rumored to replace Tillerson, has been notable in his disdain towards Iran.

— sean savage, Jewish Journal, "Trump cites Iran deal wrangles in Tillerson firing, Iran hawk Pompeo in at State," 13 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of rumor

1548

rumor Synonyms

Synonyms

bruit (about), circulate, noise (about or abroad), whisper;

Related Words

bandy (about), blab, gossip, tattle;

bare, disclose, divulge, expose, let on (about), report, reveal, spill, tell;

hint, imply, insinuate, intimate, suggest;

broadcast, proclaim, propagate, publicize, spread;

RUMOR Defined for English Language Learners

rumor

noun

Definition of rumor for English Language Learners

: information or a story that is passed from person to person but has not been proven to be true

RUMOR Defined for Kids

rumor

noun ru·mor \ ˈrü-mər \

Definition of rumor for Students

: information or a story that is passed from one person to another but has not been proven to be true and has no known source

rumor

verb

Definition of rumor for Students

rumored; rumoring

: to spread information or a story that has not been proven to be true

Learn More about rumor

See words that rhyme with rumor Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rumor Spanish Central: Translation of rumor Nglish: Translation of rumor for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of rumor for Arabic speakers

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rumor

Definition of rumor

Examples of rumor in a Sentence

Recent Examples of rumor from the Web

Origin and Etymology of rumor

rumor Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

rumor

Definition of rumor

Examples of rumor in a Sentence

Recent Examples of rumor from the Web

First Known Use of rumor

rumor Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

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Related Phrases

RUMOR Defined for English Language Learners

rumor

Definition of rumor for English Language Learners

RUMOR Defined for Kids

rumor

Definition of rumor for Students

rumor

Definition of rumor for Students

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