variants
or British rumour
plural rumors
: information or a story that is passed from person to person but has not been proven to be true
There are rumors that they are making a new film.
She accused him of starting/spreading 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/only a rumor."
The rumor turned out to be false/unfounded.
You can't fire him solely based on rumor.
Rumor has it that they broke up.
Cite this Entry
“Rumor.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/rumor. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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