# rumor

/ˈɹumɝ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rumor
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. unverified story

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

a story or piece of news that people are talking about, but no one knows for sure if it is true.

For teachers: a specific report or statement of uncertain accuracy, typically spread by word of mouth.

- There is a rumor that the company is going to close next month.
- The CEO spent the morning addressing a persistent rumor regarding a potential merger that had caused the company's stock price to fluctuate wildly.

### 2. general gossip

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

information or talk that is spread by people but has no proof.

For teachers: unverified information or misinformation considered as a collective phenomenon.

- You shouldn't believe everything you hear through rumor.
- In the absence of official communication, the staff relied on rumor to guess who would be promoted to the director position.

### 3. to be reported

verb · CEFR B2 · American English

to say that something might be true, even if you are not sure.

For teachers: to report or circulate by way of rumor; almost exclusively used in the passive voice.

- It is rumored that the famous actor will visit our town tomorrow.
- Although the contract has not been signed, it is widely rumored that the star player will join the team next season.

### 4. general news or report

noun · CEFR C2 · American English · Archaic

an old word for general news or a report about something.

For teachers: a general report, news, or information. This sense is no longer used in modern conversation.

- The rumor of the king's arrival spread quickly through the countryside.
- In the ancient chronicles, the rumor of the distant war reached the city long before the first refugees appeared at the gates.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.