rumor
UK: ˈruːmə | US: ˈruːmər
n. a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth
vt. to report or spread by rumor
The word "rumor" traces back to Latin rumor (meaning "noise, hearsay, common talk"), derived from the Proto-Indo-European root reuə- ("to roar, make noise"). The morpheme rum preserves the core idea of indistinct sound or gossip, while -or functions as a noun-forming suffix (as in "terror" or "error"). Over time, the term narrowed from general noise to specifically unverified information.
A rumor spread that the school would close early due to the storm.
She was rumored to be dating a famous actor.
Don’t believe every rumor you hear online.
The rumor mill has been busy with speculation about the merger.
He denied the rumors about his resignation.