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
And then came rumors that Costner would leave Yellowstone altogether before Season 5 would even film its final episodes. Joshua St. Clair, Men's Health, 17 May 2023 The battle to prevent calamity April 27, 2023 In the meantime, the unnerving sight of normally placid stretches of the Kern River transformed into frothing rapids is generating rumors and tension up and down the Kern River. Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2023 However, Matty was still willing to address any dating rumors in interviews. Olivia Evans, Women's Health, 17 May 2023 With dating rumors reaching a fever pitch, the two singer-songwriters were spotted leaving Electric Lady Studios in New York City early Tuesday morning (May 16), marking the latest in a series of rendezvous that has left fans reeling in recent weeks. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 May 2023 While WinFuture doesn’t include any details about specs or pricing, previous rumors indicate that the Epix Gen 2 watch could cost €950 (around $1,034) for the 42mm version, €1,050 (around $1,142) for the 47mm, and €1,150 (around $1,252) for the 52mm size. Emma Roth, The Verge, 12 May 2023 According to one current and four former employees, rumors about the show moving locations had been swirling for months. Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 12 May 2023 The appearance seemingly confirms recent rumors that the two have been collaborating in private. Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 May 2023 But a slowly building buzz of rumors and leaks suggests things should change before long. Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 11 May 2023
Verb
Jonathan Bennett and Jaymes Vaughan Married! Bennett isn't the only original cast member to be rumored to make an appearance. Sam Burros, Peoplemag, 15 May 2023 Nintendo is rumored to be working on a next-gen game console to be released in 2024. Cassie Werber, Quartz, 9 May 2023 The pair was rumored in December 2014 to have had a brief romance before Swift went on to date Calvin Harris. Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 7 May 2023 Next year's Galaxy S24 Ultra is rumored to boast a redesigned camera featuring a variable zoom lens. Paul Monckton, Forbes, 3 May 2023 He was rumored to have cozy relations with the Serbian police and intelligence services. Robert F. Worth, New York Times, 3 May 2023 Robert and Suki Are Rumored to Be Dating Relationship rumors started when the two were spotted out on a cozy date night at a London movie theater. Leah Campano, Seventeen, 2 May 2023 The other side Meanwhile, a handful of Republicans is also rumored to be considering a Senate run, with many looking to former Gov. Larry Hogan to announce a bid. Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner, 2 May 2023 The designer's beloved Burmese has lived a lifestyle nearly as luxurious and chic as his, and following his death, she is rumored to inherit a portion of Lagerfeld's €200 million net worth. Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 28 Apr. 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 31 May. 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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