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

Not thinking twice about the call or the rumors, Joshua took a taxi to the airport to pickup Hilda. — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2026

In the summer of 2025, there were actually some rumors that Xi Jinping was being sidelined along with his fellow hard-liners in a quiet coup. — Literary Hub, 12 Nov. 2026

Verb

As of October 2026 Airlink flies the first-ever nonstop route between Cape Town and Zanzibar, with low-cost FlySafair rumored to be expanding its regular Johannesburg service to include Cape Town too. — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026

Olsen’s current contract expires at Fox at the end of this season, and he’s been rumored for the top NFL analyst job at several other networks that regularly broadcast NFL games. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 12 Nov. 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