rumor
- 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.
- to circulate, report, or assert by a rumor: It is rumored that the king is dead.
Origin of rumor
Synonyms for rumor
Examples from the Web for rumour
Contemporary Examples of rumour
A Downing Street spokesman denied any “crisis talks” but not the rumour itself.
Historical Examples of rumour
The rumour of our journey had spread, but too late for the Press to get hold of the news.
My Double LifeSarah Bernhardt
The rumour spread that he had yielded to the entreaties of his wife Eugenie.
The Three Cities Trilogy, CompleteEmile Zola
The rumour of his appearance is wrapped in the larger rumour of war.
A Dish Of OrtsGeorge MacDonald
And then, from the Listening-in-Service, came the rumour of the strike.
City of Endless NightMilo Hastings
Rumour spreads quick, but the good mare's stride is quicker still.'
Micah ClarkeArthur Conan Doyle
rumour
US rumor
- 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
- (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
Word Origin and History for rumour
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.
rumor
1590s, "spread a rumor; spread by way of rumor," from rumor (n.). Related: Rumored; rumoring.