rumor

[roo-mer] /ˈru mər/
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.
3.
Archaic. a continuous, confused noise; clamor; din.
verb (used with object)
4.
to circulate, report, or assert by a rumor:
It is rumored that the king is dead.
Also, especially British, rumour.
Origin
1325-75; Middle English rumour < Middle French < Latin rūmor; akin to Sanskrit rāuti, rāvati (he) cries
Related forms
unrumored, adjective
Synonyms
1. report.
Examples from the web for rumor
  • rumor has it that the presence of snacks attracts more people to a talk.
  • The generally accepted rumor is that the name is slang for moonshine.
  • rumor has it you're as sharp as a great white's teeth.
  • Keep a special eye out for a pesky poltergeist: rumor has it that he's knocked over a tripod or two.
  • rumor has it that the farm's locavore dinner series is expanding into an on-site restaurant.
  • In an environment where media is controlled by the government, folks rely upon gossip and rumor.
  • Jacksons personal physician, and others as being only rumor flatly denied it.
  • They have followed the latest developments year after year, rumor after rumor.
  • rumor has it they had some smart folks on board, and yet.
  • The cause of the illnesses was a matter of confusion and fearful rumor.
British Dictionary definitions for rumor

rumour

/ˈruːmə/
noun
1.
  1. information, often a mixture of truth and untruth, passed around verbally
  2. (in combination): a rumour-monger
2.
gossip or hearsay
3.
(archaic) din or clamour
4.
(obsolete) fame or reputation
verb
5.
(transitive; usually passive) to pass around or circulate in the form of a rumour: it is rumoured that the Queen is coming
6.
(literary) to make or cause to make a murmuring noise
Word Origin
C14: via Old French from Latin rūmor common talk; related to Old Norse rymja to roar, Sanskrit rāut he cries
Word Origin and History for rumor
n.

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.

v.

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

Slang definitions & phrases for rumor

rumor

Related Terms

latrine rumor