rumour
UK: ˈruːmə | US: ˈruːmər
n. a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth
n. general talk or hearsay of uncertain origin
The word "rumour" traces back to Latin rumor, meaning "common talk" or "noise." It entered English via Old French rumor, retaining its core idea of unverified information spread widely. The morpheme rum evokes the buzzing, noisy nature of gossip, while -our (later simplified to -or in American English) marks it as a noun. The word’s evolution reflects the timeless human tendency to amplify and disseminate unconfirmed stories.
The rumour about the company’s bankruptcy spread quickly.
She ignored the malicious rumours about her personal life.
Rumours of a celebrity wedding dominated social media.
The journalist investigated the source of the political rumour.
Don’t believe every rumour you hear without evidence.