/ˈɹuːmə(ɹ)/, /ˈɹumɚ/
OriginFrom Middle English rumour, from Old French rumeur, from Latin rūmor (“common talk”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rewH- (“to shout, to roar”).
- US, countableA statement or claim of questionable accuracy, from no known reliable source, usually spread by word of mouth.
“There's a rumor going round that he's going to get married.”
“vile rumor”
“a rumor going round”
- US, uncountableInformation or misinformation of the kind contained in such claims.
“They say he used to be a thief, but that's just rumor.”
- US, archaic, uncountableReport, news, information in general.
“It stands a city aloof. There hath been no rumour of it—I alone have dreamed of it, and I may not be sure that my dreams are true.”
- US, obsolete, uncountableFame, reputation.
- US, obsolete, uncountableClamor, din, outcry.
- US, transitive, usuallyTo tell a rumor about; to gossip.
“John is rumored to be next in line for a promotion.”
Formsrumors(plural) · rumour(alternative, Commonwealth) · rumors(present, singular, third-person) · rumoring(participle, present) · rumored(participle, past) · rumored(past)