rumor
gb/ɹˈumɚ/ us/ɹˈumɚ/
B1
English
~ 9800
pletyka, híresztelés, az a hír járja, híresztel, moraj, zsivaj
NOUN
B1
1
pletyka
B1
híresztelés
B2
Usage pattern:
a rumor about [something/someone]
There’s a rumor that the company will lay off staff next month.
Az a pletyka terjed, hogy a cég jövő hónapban dolgozókat fog elbocsátani.
Social media helped the rumor spread very quickly.
A közösségi média hozzájárult ahhoz, hogy a pletyka nagyon gyorsan elterjedjen.
She dismissed the rumor about her resignation as completely false.
According to rumor, the two actors are secretly dating.
Investors reacted nervously to rumors of a possible merger.
Learner examples
I heard a rumor that our teacher is leaving.
Azt a pletykát hallottam, hogy elmegy a tanárunk.
There was a rumor about a new shopping mall in this area.
Volt egy pletyka egy új bevásárlóközpontról ezen a környéken.
They started a rumor, and soon the whole school knew.
The singer said the rumor was not true.
People should not spread bad rumors about others.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"listen a rumor"* instead of *"hear a rumor"*. Use verbs like *hear*, *spread*, *start*, *deny*, or *confirm* with *rumor*. Another confusion is spelling: American English uses *rumor*, while British English commonly uses *rumour*.
Meaning
unverified information passed between people
Collocations
spread rumors
|start a rumor
|deny rumors
|unfounded rumor
|persistent rumor
|rumor has it
Synonyms
gossip (Often focuses on private or personal information about people, sometimes with a negative tone.)
|
hearsay (Stresses that the information is second-hand and not directly witnessed or proven.)
|
speculation (Suggests guessing or theorizing, often sounding more neutral or analytical than 'rumor'.)
Antonyms
fact (Information that is known to be true and can be proved.)
|
confirmation (Official or clear proof that something is true, the opposite of uncertain talk.)
|
official announcement (Information given formally and publicly by an authority, not passed informally between people.)
Themes
communication
|media
|relationships
Definition
A story or idea that many people talk about, but that is not proven to be true or official.
A piece of information, often about people or future events, that is being passed from person to person but has not been officially confirmed as true.
VERB
C1
2
híresztel
B2
Usage pattern:
it is rumored that [clause]
It is rumored that the coach will step down at the end of the season.
Az a hír járja, hogy az edző a szezon végén lemond.
The CEO is rumored to be considering a move to another company.
A vezérigazgatóról az a hír járja, hogy fontolgatja, hogy átmegy egy másik céghez.
The long-rumored sequel was finally announced last week.
Several candidates are rumored to be on the shortlist for the position.
Learner examples
It is rumored that the bank will close some branches.
Az a hír járja, hogy a bank bezár néhány fiókot.
The actor is rumored to be in a new movie.
A színészről az a hír járja, hogy benne lesz egy új filmben.
A big change is rumored for next year.
He is rumored to have a new girlfriend.
Common mistake:
Many learners do not recognize *rumor* as a verb and instead use only the noun plus *say* (e.g., *"People say a rumor that..."*). In natural English you would say *"It is rumored that..."* or *"He is rumored to be..."*.
Meaning
to report something as a rumor
Collocations
it is rumored that
|rumored to be
|widely rumored
|long-rumored
Synonyms
speculate (Focuses more on guessing or forming opinions without full facts, often more formal or analytical.)
|
whisper (Suggests quiet, secretive talk, often about sensitive or scandalous topics.)
|
hint (Implies suggesting something indirectly, not necessarily passing along widespread talk.)
Antonyms
confirm (Means to show clearly that something is true, the opposite of passing on unproven information.)
|
deny (Means to say that a statement or story is not true, often used in response to rumors.)
Themes
communication
|media
|work
Definition
To say or report something that people talk about but that is not proven, usually in the form "it is rumored that...".
To say, suggest, or report that something may be true, especially in an unofficial way and without proof; most often used in the passive form.
NOUN
C2
ARCHAIC
3
From the castle walls they heard the distant rumor of the approaching army.
A várfalakról hallották a közeledő sereg távoli moraját.
The speech was met with a rising rumor of voices from the crowd.
A beszédet a tömegből feltörő, egyre erősödő hangmoraj fogadta.
Night fell, and the city sank from busy rumor into quiet sleep.
Learner examples
In this old poem, the word "rumor" means the loud sound of many people.
Ebben a régi versben a „rumor” szó sok ember hangos, összefolyó zaját jelenti.
The writer describes the rumor of the street outside the window.
Az író az ablakon túli utca moraját írja le.
We almost never use this meaning of "rumor" in modern speaking.
Meaning
general public talk or noise
Collocations
the rumor of war
|rumor of the crowd
|distant rumor
Synonyms
murmur (Suggests a low, continuous sound from people speaking quietly, often used in literary contexts.)
|
uproar (Suggests louder, chaotic noise or protest rather than just general sound.)
Antonyms
silence (The complete absence of sound, the opposite of a background of public talk or noise.)
Themes
literature
|history
|communication
|daily_life
Definition
Old or literary use: the loud sound or talk from many people or from a crowd.
Loud or confused sound or general talk made by a crowd or by many people, especially in a public or political context; now mainly literary or archaic.
Grammar
Dictionary form
rumor
IPA
GB/ɹˈumɚ/
US/ɹˈumɚ/
Syllables & stress
ru - mor (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ru)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: rumor
- Variant Spelling: rumour
- Plural: rumor, rumors
Verb
- Base: rumor
- Variant Spelling: rumour
- 3rd Person Singular: rumors
- Present Participle: rumoring
- Past: rumored
Word family
Forms
Advanced or less common
rumormonger
noun
Highlights
- Spelling Variant: rumour Verb
- Spelling Variant: rumour Noun
Expressions
deny the rumors
1/dɪnˈaɪ ðə ɹˈumɚz/
fixed phrase
to say rumors are not true
To say clearly and publicly that the stories people are talking about are not true.
Examples
- The company quickly issued a statement to deny the rumors.
- Her manager denied the rumors of a breakup.
- Officials denied the rumors that the borders would be closed.
quash a rumor
1/kwˈɔʃ ə ɹˈumɚ/
fixed phrase
to stop a rumor spreading
To stop a rumor by clearly saying it is not true or by giving correct information.
Examples
- The mayor held a press conference to quash the rumor about tax increases.
- Clear communication can help quash rumors before they grow.
- The director tried to quash the rumor by sharing the real numbers.
rumor has it (that)
1/ɹˈumɚ hˈæz ˈɪt ðˈæt/
idiom
people say, but it is unconfirmed
Used to introduce something that many people are saying, but that is not officially confirmed or proven.
Examples
- Rumor has it that the band is breaking up after this tour.
- Rumor has it she’s getting promoted, but nothing has been announced yet.
- Rumor has it that the restaurant will reopen under new owners.
spread rumors
1/spɹˈɛd ɹˈumɚz/
fixed phrase
to pass on untrue or unproven stories
To tell other people stories or information that are not proven, so that more and more people hear them.
Examples
- You shouldn’t spread rumors about your coworkers.
- Someone started to spread rumors online about the politician’s family.
- The school has a strict policy against spreading rumors.
start a rumor
1/stˈɑɹt ə ɹˈumɚ/
fixed phrase
to begin an unverified story
To be the first person to tell an unproven story or idea, hoping that other people will repeat it.
Examples
- Who started the rumor that the store was closing?
- He admitted that he had started the rumor as a joke.
- Don’t start a rumor just because you’re angry.
the rumor mill
1/ðə ɹˈumɚ mˈɪl/
idiom
informal
system that produces and spreads rumors
The process or group of people in a place (like an office or town) who regularly create and share rumors.
Examples
- The office rumor mill went into overdrive after the email from the CEO.
- According to the rumor mill, big changes are coming.
- She’s tired of being the main subject of the local rumor mill.