rumor
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.a story or piece of news that people are talking about, but no one knows for sure if it is true.
n.a specific report or statement of uncertain accuracy, typically spread by word of mouth.
Simple“There is a rumor that the company is going to close next month.”
In context“The CEO spent the morning addressing a persistent rumor regarding a potential merger that had caused the company's stock price to fluctuate wildly.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.information or talk that is spread by people but has no proof.
n.unverified information or misinformation considered as a collective phenomenon.
Simple“You shouldn't believe everything you hear through rumor.”
In context“In the absence of official communication, the staff relied on rumor to guess who would be promoted to the director position.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to say that something might be true, even if you are not sure.
v.to report or circulate by way of rumor; almost exclusively used in the passive voice.
Simple“It is rumored that the famous actor will visit our town tomorrow.”
In context“Although the contract has not been signed, it is widely rumored that the star player will join the team next season.”
PitfallPeople rumor that he is leaving. It is rumored that he is leaving.This verb is almost always used in the passive voice ('it is rumored') rather than the active voice.
- 04 C2 Proficiency
n.an old word for general news or a report about something.
n.a general report, news, or information. This sense is no longer used in modern conversation.
Simple“The rumor of the king's arrival spread quickly through the countryside.”
In context“In the ancient chronicles, the rumor of the distant war reached the city long before the first refugees appeared at the gates.”