rumor

[ roo-mer ]
See synonyms for rumor on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a story or statement in general circulation without confirmation or certainty as to facts: a rumor of war.

  2. gossip; hearsay: Don't listen to rumor.

  1. Archaic. a continuous, confused noise; clamor; din.

verb (used with object)
  1. to circulate, report, or assert by a rumor: It is rumored that the king is dead.

Origin of rumor

1
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English rumour, from Middle French, from Latin rūmor; akin to Sanskrit rāuti, rāvati “(he) cries”
  • Also especially British, ru·mour .

Other words for rumor

Other words from rumor

  • un·ru·mored, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use rumor in a sentence

  • Rumors said that the enemy numbered thousands, and that they were already marching on the place.

  • Native rumors had brought the news of the massacre at Cawnpore, though the ghastly tragedy of the Well was yet to come.

    The Red Year | Louis Tracy
  • And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be not troubled: these things must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet.

    His Last Week | William E. Barton
  • More than with the "spook," however, was the public mind agitated by other rumors which touched upon "south meadow."

    Dorothy at Skyrie | Evelyn Raymond
  • But before the ice was out of the river disquieting rumors began to breathe out of Higgins's Bridge.

    Scattergood Baines | Clarence Budington Kelland