51Թ

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View synonyms for

rumor

[ roo-mer ]

noun

  1. a story or statement in general circulation without confirmation or certainty as to facts:

    a rumor of war.

    Synonyms:

  2. Don't listen to rumor.

  3. 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.

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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ܲ·mǰ adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of rumor1

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English rumour, from Middle French, from Latin ūǰ; akin to Sanskrit rāuti, rāvati “(he) cries”
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

As the online rumors escalated, "Girls Gone Bible" devoted its March 21 podcast to addressing the controversy.

From

In late February, rumors that the federal government was planning a massive immigration enforcement sweep in Los Angeles County swirled.

From

In a statement to Bloomberg, company spokesperson Robert Gibbs said that “the rumor of an imminent leadership change at the studio is not accurate.”

From

As the fires began to burn out of control, rumors spread through group chats and social media posts that the rec center had burnt down.

From

The statement, shared in a video posted on social media, was shared partly to address rumors that Riverside deputies had been involved in immigration raids, Bianco said.

From

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More About Rumor

What does rumor mean?

A rumor is a story or statement that is being passed around without confirmation that the information is true, as in I heard a rumor about a new superhero movie.

Rumor can also mean general hearsay, as in You shouldn’t put much faith in rumor and speculation. 

As a verb, rumor means to spread or report rumors. When used this way, it is usually accompanied by the thing that is a rumor, as in It has been rumored that Disney is building a new amusement park outside the city. 

While rumor does mean the information hasn’t been checked, it is still possible for it to be true. For this reason, rumor may not always be able to be used as a synonym for words like lie, falsehood, nonsense, or fiction.

In British English, rumor is often spelled as rumour.

A person who loves spreading rumors is called a rumormonger.

Example: My gossipy neighbor loves spreading ridiculous rumors all over town.

Where does rumor come from?

The first records of rumor come from around 1325. It ultimately comes from the Latin ūǰ. Even in ancient Rome, people couldn’t help themselves from spreading rumors.

People are fascinated by rumors. Magazines and celebrity gossip publications often dedicate entire issues to spreading rumors about famous people. Rumors allow our imagination to run wild, which is probably why we enjoy hearing them.

Professional journalists are not supposed to report rumors as facts and will typically alert readers that the information is unconfirmed to avoid being sued for slander or libel.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to rumor?

  • rumour (alternative spelling)
  • unrumored (adjective)

What are some synonyms for rumor?

What are some words that share a root or word element with rumor?

What are some words that often get used in discussing rumor?

How is rumor used in real life?

People love to spread rumors. A word of advice: It is a good idea to check for the truth if a rumor sounds ridiculous or untrue.

Try using rumor!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym of rumor?

A. gossip
B. truth
C. hearsay
D. tale

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