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

Tensions surrounding the Dodgers hit a boiling point in 2025 following rumors that immigration officials were present at Dodger Stadium. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

The rumors have swirled almost since Connor Bedard was drafted. — Scott Powers, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Verb

It’s rumored to come in two sizes, 40mm and 44mm, with 390mAh and 445mAh batteries respectively. — Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Bechtel and Healy were first linked in 2023 after the singer was rumored to be involved with Taylor Swift. — Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 19 July 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