ru·mor
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Definition of rumor
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: talk or opinion widely disseminated with no discernible source
2
: a statement or report current without known authority for its truth
3
archaic
: talk or report of a notable person or event
4
: a soft low indistinct sound : murmur
rumor
verb
rumored; rumoring
Definition of rumor (Entry 2 of 2)
: to tell or spread by rumor
Examples of rumor in a Sentence
Noun
There are rumors that they are making a new film.
She accused him of starting rumors about her.
Ever since his sudden resignation, rumors have been flying.
I heard a rumor that they broke up.
“Did you hear that they broke up?” “That's just a rumor.”
The rumor turned out to be false.
You can't fire him solely based on rumor.
Rumor has it that they broke up.
Verb
for years people have been rumoring the CEO's imminent retirement
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
There have been small deals in recent weeks — Cam Reddish to the Knicks and Bryn Forbes to the Nuggets — but the rumor mill is really starting to pick up steam in the homestretch ahead of the deadline.
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Matt Eppers, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2022
One corner of the rampant rumor mill has already pegged Alexander Rossi to man the No. 48 in 2023 when his contract with Andretti expires at the end of this year – something both sides have denied.
—
Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Jan. 2022
Earlier this month, Kylie took to Instagram to show off her growing bump after another post set the rumor mill spinning.
—
Leah Campano, Seventeen, 18 Jan. 2022
As the rumor mill suggested, both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield reprised their roles as Spider-Man.
—
Jacob Siegal, BGR, 5 Jan. 2022
But the brief blast, sent to THR by a source, also served another purpose — to clear up the rumor mill.
—
Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Jan. 2022
The rumor mill turned again in April last year when CEO Tim Cook hinted autonomous driving would be a core feature of any Apple car, but the $3 trillion company has so far not confirmed plans to build one.
—
Anna Cooban, CNN, 5 Jan. 2022
That's all speculation, however, based on an iPhone 14 Pro camera rumor that's yet to be confirmed.
—
Chris Smith, BGR, 12 Jan. 2022
Fox, Disney debunk rumor Spokespeople for Fox Entertainment and Walt Disney Television told USA TODAY the claim in the post is not accurate.
—
Nayeli Lomeli, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2022
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Journalists too must step up, avoiding false equivalency or both-sides-ism; there is no need to give equal time to rumor mongers or conspiracy theorists simply to appear balanced.
—
Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 5 Jan. 2021
Contrary to rumor, there have been no evacuations ordered.
—
Julie Jag, The Salt Lake Tribune, 13 Sep. 2020
Medvedev’s job had long been rumored to be at risk as Russia’s economy stagnated and wages shrank for five years running, helping to erode Putin’s popularity.
—
Jake Rudnitsky, Bloomberg.com, 29 Apr. 2020
Patterson, originally out of Canada, has long been rumored to be an Oregon lean and his commitment would continue a long line of top-flight Canadian prospects winding up in Eugene.
—
oregonlive.com, 18 Aug. 2019
The lone exception might be five-star center Moussa Cisse, who has widely been rumored to be planning a move to the 2020 class, but Kentucky is believed to be trailing other schools in his recruitment.
—
Jon Hale, The Courier-Journal, 15 May 2020
The exact way forward is not yet clear, but Volkswagen, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and Tesla have all announced or are rumored to be restarting production this week or next.
—
Sebastian Blanco, Car and Driver, 27 Apr. 2020
Some members of the national media criticized the credentials of those rumored to be joining a second White House task force focused on reopening the American economy after the coronavirus pandemic.
—
Dominick Mastrangelo, Washington Examiner, 13 Apr. 2020
The Coleman deal was of keen interest to the Bruins, who were rumored to have bids in for him in recent days.
—
Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Feb. 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rumor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Last Updated
27 Jan 2022
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Cite this Entry
“Rumor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rumor. Accessed 3 Feb. 2022.
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More Definitions for rumor
rumor
noun
English Language Learners Definition of rumor
: information or a story that is passed from person to person but has not been proven to be true
See the full definition for rumor in the English Language Learners Dictionary
rumor
noun
ru·mor
| \ ˈrü-mər
\
\
Kids Definition of rumor
(Entry 1 of 2)
: information or a story that is passed from one person to another but has not been proven to be true and has no known source
rumor
verb
rumored; rumoring
Kids Definition of rumor (Entry 2 of 2)
: to spread information or a story that has not been proven to be true
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Time Traveler for rumor
The first known use of rumor was in the 14th century
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