rumor
ROO-muh
Also spelled rumour (UK spelling)
Rumor (noun) means a piece of information or claim circulating by word of mouth, without a confirmed source. Example: “A rumor spread that the factory was closing.”
noun
1
A piece of information or claim circulating by word of mouth, without a confirmed source.
"A rumor spread that the factory was closing."
"I heard a rumor that our teacher is moving to another school."
"There is no proof for that rumor, so please do not repeat it."
"There's a rumor going round that he's going to get married."
verb
1
To spread as an unconfirmed story.
"It was rumored that the two companies were merging."
How to use rumor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnverified information passed around informally — could turn out true or false.
UK vs US
"Rumor" is the American spelling; "rumour" is standard in the UK, Canada, and Australia.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
spread a rumor
rumor has it
rumor mill
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Word forms
- Plural
- rumors
- Third person singular
- rumors
- Past tense
- rumored
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ spread that the factory was closing.
Etymology
From Old French rumeur, from Latin rumor, "common talk or noise."
Related words
Rhymes for rumor
See all rhymes for rumor →Frequently asked questions
What does “rumor” mean?
The word “rumor” means a piece of information or claim circulating by word of mouth, without a confirmed source. In plain terms, unverified information passed around informally — could turn out true or false.
How do you pronounce “rumor”?
“Rumor” is pronounced ROO-muh (/ˈɹumɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “rumor” in a sentence?
Here is “rumor” used in a sentence: “A rumor spread that the factory was closing.”
What is another word for “rumor”?
Words with a similar meaning to “rumor” include bruit, buzz, tidbit, fame, on dit and moot.
What part of speech is “rumor”?
Depending on how it is used, “rumor” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “rumor” come from?
The word “rumor” comes from Latin. From Old French rumeur, from Latin rumor, "common talk or noise.".
Is “rumor” a common word?
“Rumor” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “rumor” have?
“Rumor” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a piece of information or claim circulating by word of mouth, without a confirmed source.
What is the difference between a rumor and a fact?
A rumor is a piece of information or claim circulating by word of mouth without a confirmed source, while a fact has been verified as true. Because rumors lack confirmation, they can turn out to be accurate, partly true, or entirely false.
What is the difference between a rumor and gossip?
A rumor is an unconfirmed claim or piece of information spreading by word of mouth, which can be about events, people, or situations in general. Gossip specifically involves talk about other people's personal lives or private matters, often with a judgmental or intrusive tone, making it a narrower category than rumor.
Is rumor spelled differently in British English?
Yes, rumor is the American spelling, while British English typically uses rumour. Both spellings share the same meaning and pronunciation, differing only in the presence of the letter u.
