rumor

[ roo-mer ]

/ ˈru mər /

noun

a story or statement in general circulation without confirmation or certainty as to facts: a rumor of war.

gossip; hearsay: Don't listen to rumor.

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

verb (used with object)

to circulate, report, or assert by a rumor: It is rumored that the king is dead.

Nearby words

Also especially British, ru·mour.

Origin of rumor

1325–75; Middle English rumour < Middle French < Latin rūmor; akin to Sanskrit rāuti, rāvati (he) cries

SYNONYMS FOR rumor

1 report.

Related formsun·ru·mored, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for rumour

A Downing Street spokesman denied any “crisis talks” but not the rumour itself.
Sex Scandal Engulfs 10 Downing Street as Feral Press Bites Back|Peter Jukes|June 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In the memorable events which followed this rumour, the Duke of Perth continually shared.
Memoirs of the Jacobites of 1715 and 1745|Mrs. Thomson
Rumour has it that there are at least a dozen ardent admirers at your feet, each with a wedding-ring in his waistcoat-pocket.
The Big Drum|Arthur Pinero
Then the rumour sprang up that he continued so long in the wood, in cold and hunger, until wolves tore him in pieces.
The Homilies of the Anglo-Saxon Church|lfric

It was the fashion of the day, to admit every rumour of his cruelty.
The History of Tasmania , Volume II (of 2)|John West
They divined the truth; the intrigue was noised abroad, and the rumour at last got round to Fulbert.
The Works of Alexander Pope, Volume 2 (of 10)|Alexander Pope

British Dictionary definitions for rumour

rumour

US rumor

/ (ˈruːmə) /

noun

information, often a mixture of truth and untruth, passed around verbally
(in combination)a rumour-monger

gossip or hearsay

archaic din or clamour

obsolete fame or reputation

verb

(tr; usually passive) to pass around or circulate in the form of a rumourit is rumoured that the Queen is coming

literary to make or cause to make a murmuring noise

Word Origin for rumour

C14: via Old French from Latin rūmor common talk; related to Old Norse rymja to roar, Sanskrit rāut he cries

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for rumour (1 of 3)

rumour

chiefly British English spelling of rumor; see -or. Related: Rumoured; rumouring.

Word Origin and History for rumour (1 of 3)

rumor

late 14c., from Old French rumor "commotion, widespread noise or report" (Modern French rumeur), from Latin rumorem (nominative rumor) "noise, clamor, common talk, hearsay, popular opinion," related to ravus "hoarse," from PIE *reu- "to bellow." Related: Rumorous. Rumor mill is from 1887. Dutch rumoer, German Rumor are from French.

Word Origin and History for rumour (2 of 3)

rumor

1590s, "spread a rumor; spread by way of rumor," from rumor (n.). Related: Rumored; rumoring.