rumour
Britishnoun
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information, often a mixture of truth and untruth, passed around verbally
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( in combination )
a rumour-monger
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gossip or hearsay
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archaic din or clamour
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obsolete fame or reputation
verb
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(tr; usually passive) to pass around or circulate in the form of a rumour
it is rumoured that the Queen is coming
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literary to make or cause to make a murmuring noise
Etymology
Origin of rumour
C14: via Old French from Latin rūmor common talk; related to Old Norse rymja to roar, Sanskrit rāut he cries
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For those who watch North Korea closely, this kind of rumour has become almost routine.
From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026
Addressing the students on Monday, LPU's pro-chancellor Rashmi Mittal said she was hurt that despite the university's many channels for students to raise concerns, they had instead "believed the rumour that was spreading".
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026
When Fatima Zahra heard the rumour of a rare border opening between Morocco and Spain, she joined thousands in rushing to attempt a perilous journey into the Ceuta enclave by land or sea.
From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026
Clement’s lawyer said in a statement that the report found against her “on the pretext of ‘perception,’ the source of which was rumour, gossip and innuendo.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
Suspicion and rumour and counter-recrimination had obscured the issue almost before it started.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
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