rumourru‧mour British English, rumor American English /ˈruːmə $ -ər/ ●●○ noun [countable, uncountable] 
I’ve heard all sorts of rumours about him and his secretary.rumour that There’s an unsubstantiated rumour that Eddie is bankrupt.2the rumour mill the people, considered as a group, who discuss something and pass rumours to each other: His name has come up in the rumour mill as a possible director for the project.COLLOCATIONSverbsa rumour spreads· A rumour spread that he had been killed.a rumour goes around (also a rumour circulates formal) (=a rumour is passed among people)· There are a lot of rumors going around that they’re going to sell the company.· Not long afterwards, ugly rumours began to circulate.rumour has it (=it is being said)· Rumour has it that they plan to get married.rumours fly around (=are talked about by a lot of people)· There were wild rumours flying around the office on Wednesday.hear a rumour· I heard a rumour that she was leaving.spread a rumour· Someone has been spreading rumours about us.deny a rumour· He is denying rumors that he plans to drop out of the race.confirm a rumour (=say that it is true)· The actor’s agent would not confirm the rumour.adjectivesfalse/unfounded· He says that the rumours are completely unfounded.· False rumors began to spread that troops were massing on the border.rumours are rife (=are talked about by a lot of people)· Rumours were rife that the band had refused to play.a widespread rumour· The arrests followed widespread rumours of police corruption.a persistent rumour (=one that keeps being repeated for a long time)· Despite persistent rumours of an affair, his wife stood by him.a strong rumour (=a rumour that is likely to be true)· There is a strong rumour that the government is planning to drop the idea.a wild rumour (=one that is completely untrue)· It has been a week of wild rumour and exaggeration.a malicious rumour (=a false one that someone spreads to make trouble)· The claims were dismissed by the government as ‘malicious rumours’.an ugly/nasty rumour (=a rumour about something bad)· Ugly rumours persisted that there had been a cover-up.an unsubstantiated rumour (=one that has not been proved to be true)· These are only unsubstantiated rumours.a scurrilous rumour formal (=a damaging and false rumour)· Journalists spread scurrilous rumours about the school.wild rumours (=rumours that are not likely to be true)· This led to wild rumours of American involvement in the attack.COMMON ERRORS ► Don’t say ‘a rumour spreads out’. Say a rumour spreads.THESAURUSrumour British English, rumor American English noun [countable, uncountable] information or a story that is passed from one person to another and which may or may not be true: · The band denied the rumours that they may be splitting up.· The truth finally came out after months of rumour.· I’ve heard rumours about a ghost in the building.speculation noun [uncountable] a situation in which a lot of people are talking about something that is happening, especially something that is happening in politics or public life, and trying to guess what the truth is: · There was a great deal of speculation about a possible merger involving Belgium’s largest banks.· The report fuelled speculation (=caused more speculation) that he was about to resign.· His future as a player has been the subject of intense speculation.gossip noun [uncountable] things that people say about what they think has happened in other people’s private lives, which is usually not true: · She tells me all the latest gossip from the office.· The magazine was full of gossip about celebrities.· You shouldn’t believe every piece of gossip you hear.talk noun [uncountable] something that people talk about a lot but which is not official: · The government has dismissed talk of a military strike on the country.· There’s been a lot of talk of him resigning.hearsay noun [uncountable] something that you have heard from someone else, but cannot prove whether it is true or untrue – often used in legal contexts: · All the accounts were based on hearsay rather than eye-witness reports.· hearsay evidence
WORD ORIGINrumor
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French rumour, from Latin rumorEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Rumour has it that there will be major job cuts in the new year.
- Have you heard the rumour about him and his secretary?
- I don't think he's going to resign. It's only a rumour.
- Someone's been spreading nasty rumours about me.
- The band denied the rumours that they may be splitting up.
- The truth finally came out after months of rumour and gossip.
- There were rumours of bombings in the northern part of the country.
- What's this rumour about you and Vince Foster?
- Bored dowagers with wisps snuggling on the shoulders, whispering flattery and malicious rumour in their perfectly sculpted ears.
- Despite his wonderfully unattractive and humourless appearance, his exotic origins none the less gave rise to an extraordinary rumour.
- I report what I feel, as well as the rumour that is spreading.
- If possible, track the rumour back to its origin.
- The possibility of penal cancellation charges in the public domain is a rumour.
- Their untrained but nervous eyes, and rumour, vastly exaggerated both the ferocity and size of the advancing army.
- You find there's nothing to it, a false rumour.
THESAURUS
British English, rumor American English noun [countable, uncountable] information or a story that is passed from one person to another and which may or may not be true: · The band denied the rumours that they may be splitting up.· The truth finally came out after months of rumour.· I’ve heard rumours about a ghost in the building.
noun [uncountable] a situation in which a lot of people are talking about something that is happening, especially something that is happening in politics or public life, and trying to guess what the truth is: · There was a great deal of speculation about a possible merger involving Belgium’s largest banks.· The report fuelled speculation (=caused more speculation) that he was about to resign.· His future as a player has been the subject of intense speculation.
noun [uncountable] things that people say about what they think has happened in other people’s private lives, which is usually not true: · She tells me all the latest gossip from the office.· The magazine was full of gossip about celebrities.· You shouldn’t believe every piece of gossip you hear.
noun [uncountable] something that people talk about a lot but which is not official: · The government has dismissed talk of a military strike on the country.· There’s been a lot of talk of him resigning.
noun [uncountable] something that you have heard from someone else, but cannot prove whether it is true or untrue – often used in legal contexts: · All the accounts were based on hearsay rather than eye-witness reports.· hearsay evidence
Longman Language Activatorrules of acceptable behaviour British /rumor American information which is passed from one person to another and which may or may not be true, especially information about people's private lives or about something that a government, company etc has done or is planning to do: · The truth finally came out after months of rumour and gossip.rumour about/of: · What's this rumour about you and Vince Foster?· There were rumours of bombings in the northern part of the country.rumour that: · The band denied the rumours that they may be splitting up.hear a rumour: · Have you heard the rumour about him and his secretary?spread a rumour (=tell other people a rumour): · Someone's been spreading nasty rumours about me.it's only a rumour: · I don't think he's going to resign. It's only a rumour.rumour has it that (=there is a rumour that): · Rumour has it that there will be major job cuts in the new year.
if there is speculation about something, especially about something that is happening in politics or public life, a lot of people are talking about it and trying to guess what the truth is - used especially in news reports: speculation about: · There was a great deal of speculation about a possible merger involving Belgium's largest banks.speculation that: · Washington was buzzing with speculation that the senator would resign.amid speculation: · Share prices increased amid speculation that the Bank of England would cut interest rates.prompt/fuel etc speculation (=start or increase speculation): · The news fuelled speculation that the President's health had become significantly worse.pure/wild/idle speculation (=speculation that is very unlikely to be true): · Reports that the couple are getting a divorce have been dismissed as wild speculation.
information which people tell each other about other people's private lives, and which may or may not be true, especially when this is done in an unkind or disapproving way: · I got back from my vacation eager to hear all the latest gossip.gossip about: · The conversation began to drift towards gossip about their colleagues.exchange gossip (with somebody) (=tell each other gossip): · Mrs Busby was always ready to exchange local gossip with the customers who came into her shop.gossip column (=part of a newspaper that contains gossip about famous people): · Recently her name has showed up a lot in gossip columns.malicious gossip (=unkind and untrue gossip that someone spreads deliberately): · I don't believe Liz had an affair with him. That's just malicious gossip.
when something immoral or shocking happens, often involving important people, organizations, or events, and it becomes known by the general public: · Have you heard the latest scandal? Mick Green's been arrested for bribery and corruption.scandal over: · The scandal over the deal forced the corporation's president to resign in disgrace.a scandal breaks/erupts: · A major scandal erupted in November 1989, with the discovery that cattle in the UK and Netherlands had been given food contaminated with lead.
information or news that you think might be true, although you do not have any definite proof: reports of: · The government has promised to investigate reports of police corruption.unconfirmed reports (=reports that have not yet been proved to be true): · We are getting unconfirmed reports of a gas explosion in downtown Los Angeles.
what people tell each other about other people's personal lives, especially about their sexual relationships: · In those days there was always talk if two people lived together without being married.just talk (=a rumour that is unlikely to be true): · "They say he's having an affair with a colleague at work." "That's just talk."
something that you have been told, or that you have heard only indirectly, but which you have no way of proving to be either true or untrue: · All the accounts were based on hearsay rather than eye-witness reports.· Judge Wagenbach ruled that the statement was inadmissible as evidence, after Mr. Lamb's attourney argued that it was hearsay.rely on hearsay: · A factual book is a lot better than relying on hearsay from friends.hearsay evidence (=evidence given in a court of law by someone who did not directly see something happen): · The court is not allowed to admit hearsay evidence.
if you hear some news or information on or through the grapevine , someone else tells it to you unofficially, often in conversation: · "Who told you I was moving house?" "Oh, I just heard it on the grapevine."· Freddie was distressed when, through the grapevine, he heard of Liza's marriage.the school/hospital/industry etc grapevine: · According to the high-school grapevine, Kelly wants me to ask her out on a date.
if someone or something is rumoured to be doing something, be happening, be in a particular condition etc, that is what you have heard people saying: · It's a five star hotel and rumored to be the best in Europe.· The hospital is rumoured to be heading for closure, after the government's announcement on cuts.
what people say about something use this to tell someone what someone else has said or written: · According to today's paper, 20 people died in the fire.· Rob's got a new girlfriend, according to Janine.
British /rumor has it American spoken say this when you are telling someone something that you heard from someone else, which may not actually be true: · To join the club, rumor had it, you had to be earning more than $100,000 a year.rumour has it (that): · Rumour had it that she only married him for his money.
spoken use this to say what a lot of people believe and say: they say/people say (that): · They say her husband's in prison.so they say (=use this when you are not sure whether something is true): · The test isn't difficult, or so they say.
spoken use this to say what you have read or been told, although you do not directly know about it yourself: · It's going to be hot this weekend, apparently.· Apparently, Jim's a really good tennis player.
spoken use this to tell someone about what may happen in the future, that you have heard other people talking about: · He was doing very well at college and there was talk of him being accepted for Harvard.· The company already does business with Germany and Japan and there's been some talk of a deal with the French.
spoken say this when you have heard people saying that something is true but you do not believe it: · Richard was supposedly a tall, dark-eyed handsome man.· He was supposedly delivering some papers to her but I think it was just an excuse to see her.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs Progress was slow, fueling concerns that the stadium would not be finished on time. Who is responsible for these malicious rumours? A hospital chief executive has quashed rumours that people will lose their jobs. Other girls were starting rumours about me. Unfounded rumours began circulating that Ian and Susan were having an affair.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
· A rumour spread that he had been killed.
(also a rumour circulates formal) (=a rumour is passed among people)· There are a lot of rumors going around that they’re going to sell the company.· Not long afterwards, ugly rumours began to circulate.
(=it is being said)· Rumour has it that they plan to get married.
(=are talked about by a lot of people)· There were wild rumours flying around the office on Wednesday.
· I heard a rumour that she was leaving.
· Someone has been spreading rumours about us.
· He is denying rumors that he plans to drop out of the race.
(=say that it is true)· The actor’s agent would not confirm the rumour.
adjectives· He says that the rumours are completely unfounded.· False rumors began to spread that troops were massing on the border.
(=are talked about by a lot of people)· Rumours were rife that the band had refused to play.
· The arrests followed widespread rumours of police corruption.
(=one that keeps being repeated for a long time)· Despite persistent rumours of an affair, his wife stood by him.
(=a rumour that is likely to be true)· There is a strong rumour that the government is planning to drop the idea.
(=one that is completely untrue)· It has been a week of wild rumour and exaggeration.
(=a false one that someone spreads to make trouble)· The claims were dismissed by the government as ‘malicious rumours’.
(=a rumour about something bad)· Ugly rumours persisted that there had been a cover-up.
(=one that has not been proved to be true)· These are only unsubstantiated rumours.
formal (=a damaging and false rumour)· Journalists spread scurrilous rumours about the school.
(=rumours that are not likely to be true)· This led to wild rumours of American involvement in the attack.
COMMON ERRORS ► Don’t say ‘a rumour spreads out’. Say a rumour spreads.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· Their chief executive denied rumours of the company’s decline.
British English, excite rumors American English:· The photographs excited rumours that their marriage is over.
Progress was slow, fueling concerns that the stadium would not be finished on time. Who is responsible for these malicious rumours? A hospital chief executive has quashed rumours that people will lose their jobs. (=say that a rumour etc is not true) The government was quick to squash any hopes of reform.
The government was quick to squash any hopes of reform. Other girls were starting rumours about me. Unfounded rumours began circulating that Ian and Susan were having an affair.· The rumour mill, however, is full of likely failures.· This year the Treasury rumour mill has been working overtime.
VERB· I'd be very interested to hear what the next rumour is ... but I don't really have anything to say.· Then you hear a rumour: a woman in the next ward has had a stillbirth.· But if Solveig had heard such a rumour she had not believed it.· He was such a dear old thing, although she had heard a rumour about him and Sylvia.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► rumours/accusations etc are flying
1information or a story that is passed from one person to another and which may or may not be truerumour about/of- Hot off the rumour mill: Cypress Semiconductor Corp is now seriously talking about Alpha.
- After all, stranger things have happened: legend has it that the hooked burrs of plants inspired the invention of Velcro.
- And rumour has it that the big-name band will be outrageous rockers Guns N' Roses.
- But word has it that the Tucson Symphony is taking over the building sometime in mid-December.
- His name is cited in the four gospels. Legend has it that he obtained the holy grail from the last supper.
- It started with a cross placed along the railroad tracks, where legend has it that he was lynched.
- Pass the spliff, mon. Word has it the band is compelling as hell in person.
- This was initiated, so legend has it, when the lavatories were out of order.
- Turn right to the Cerne Giant viewing point. Legend has it that a real giant terrorised the locals.
- A U. S. Embassy official said he had unconfirmed reports of 300 dead.
- Horrors include the bombing of civilians and unconfirmed reports that napalm has been used.
- One unconfirmed report said Hamilton had intended to take the children hostage but that his plan went awry.
- Several commercial tests are available but there are few and unconfirmed reports of their efficacy.
- The whereabouts of Pastor Tokes remained unclear, amid unconfirmed reports that he had been murdered.
- There were unconfirmed reports that two activists were killed.
- We have an unconfirmed report of shots fired in the area of Brandenburg Gate.
I’ve heard all sorts of rumours about him and his secretary.rumour that There’s an unsubstantiated rumour that Eddie is bankrupt.2the rumour mill the people, considered as a group, who discuss something and pass rumours to each other: His name has come up in the rumour mill as a possible director for the project.COLLOCATIONSverbsa rumour spreads· A rumour spread that he had been killed.a rumour goes around (also a rumour circulates formal) (=a rumour is passed among people)· There are a lot of rumors going around that they’re going to sell the company.· Not long afterwards, ugly rumours began to circulate.rumour has it (=it is being said)· Rumour has it that they plan to get married.rumours fly around (=are talked about by a lot of people)· There were wild rumours flying around the office on Wednesday.hear a rumour· I heard a rumour that she was leaving.spread a rumour· Someone has been spreading rumours about us.deny a rumour· He is denying rumors that he plans to drop out of the race.confirm a rumour (=say that it is true)· The actor’s agent would not confirm the rumour.adjectivesfalse/unfounded· He says that the rumours are completely unfounded.· False rumors began to spread that troops were massing on the border.rumours are rife (=are talked about by a lot of people)· Rumours were rife that the band had refused to play.a widespread rumour· The arrests followed widespread rumours of police corruption.a persistent rumour (=one that keeps being repeated for a long time)· Despite persistent rumours of an affair, his wife stood by him.a strong rumour (=a rumour that is likely to be true)· There is a strong rumour that the government is planning to drop the idea.a wild rumour (=one that is completely untrue)· It has been a week of wild rumour and exaggeration.a malicious rumour (=a false one that someone spreads to make trouble)· The claims were dismissed by the government as ‘malicious rumours’.an ugly/nasty rumour (=a rumour about something bad)· Ugly rumours persisted that there had been a cover-up.an unsubstantiated rumour (=one that has not been proved to be true)· These are only unsubstantiated rumours.a scurrilous rumour formal (=a damaging and false rumour)· Journalists spread scurrilous rumours about the school.wild rumours (=rumours that are not likely to be true)· This led to wild rumours of American involvement in the attack.COMMON ERRORS ► Don’t say ‘a rumour spreads out’. Say a rumour spreads.THESAURUSrumour British English, rumor American English noun [countable, uncountable] information or a story that is passed from one person to another and which may or may not be true: · The band denied the rumours that they may be splitting up.· The truth finally came out after months of rumour.· I’ve heard rumours about a ghost in the building.speculation noun [uncountable] a situation in which a lot of people are talking about something that is happening, especially something that is happening in politics or public life, and trying to guess what the truth is: · There was a great deal of speculation about a possible merger involving Belgium’s largest banks.· The report fuelled speculation (=caused more speculation) that he was about to resign.· His future as a player has been the subject of intense speculation.gossip noun [uncountable] things that people say about what they think has happened in other people’s private lives, which is usually not true: · She tells me all the latest gossip from the office.· The magazine was full of gossip about celebrities.· You shouldn’t believe every piece of gossip you hear.talk noun [uncountable] something that people talk about a lot but which is not official: · The government has dismissed talk of a military strike on the country.· There’s been a lot of talk of him resigning.hearsay noun [uncountable] something that you have heard from someone else, but cannot prove whether it is true or untrue – often used in legal contexts: · All the accounts were based on hearsay rather than eye-witness reports.· hearsay evidence