rumor
n. C / Un. a story or piece of information that people are talking about, but no one knows if it is actually true. You often hear these from friends or on social media before the facts are clear.
n. a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or unverified truth. Often used in the plural to describe a general atmosphere of speculation.
There is a rumor that the office is closing early today.
The company's stock price dropped sharply following a rumor that the CEO was planning to resign.
Despite the official denial, the rumor persisted throughout the weekend, fueled by anonymous social media posts and a lack of transparency from the administration.
Often takes the preposition 'about' or a 'that' clause. Uncountable when referring to the general phenomenon of gossip; countable when referring to a specific story.
I heard a rumor about that he is leaving.I heard a rumor that he is leaving.When followed by a clause, 'rumor' takes 'that' rather than 'about that'.
- 01
buy the rumor
To purchase an asset based on positive speculation or unconfirmed reports, anticipating a price rise before the positive development leading to it is confirmed by official news.
- 02
rumor campaign
A method of persuasion in which damaging rumors or innuendo are deliberately spread concerning a person or other target, while the source of the rumors tries to avoid detection.
- 03
rumor mill
A process in which a group or network of persons originate or promulgate gossip and other unsubstantiated claims.