rumor

/ˈruːmər/

unverified information spread by word of mouth

A rumor spread quickly through the office about the company's possible closure.

Unverified information about the company's possible closure spread rapidly among employees.

informal

Information or a story that is passed from person to person but is not confirmed as true.

Rumors about the celebrity's secret wedding started circulating online.

Unverified stories about the celebrity's secret wedding began spreading online.

Rumors often spread quickly and can be damaging if false.

Collocations

spread a rumorto share unverified informationstart a rumorto initiate the spread of unverified informationcirculate a rumorto pass unverified information around

to spread very quickly

to be skeptical about something

Always verify information before believing or sharing it, especially if it's a rumor.

Be cautious about sharing unverified information, as it can cause harm or misunderstandings.

From Middle English *rumour*, from Old French *rumor*, from Latin *rumor* (noise, report, rumor), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *rew-* (to roar).

Rumors are often spread informally and can be harmful if they are false or malicious. They are distinct from verified news or official statements.

rum

possibly related to noise or disturbance

root

-or

a suffix indicating a person or thing characterized by the root

suffix

English Dictionary