Rumours
Unverified circulating stories
Rumours is the British spelling of rumors—unverified stories or reports passed from person to person.
The word appears in titles and proper nouns using British conventions, most notably the 1977 Fleetwood Mac album.
Have you heard the rumours about the merger?
In American English, the spelling is rumors.
Speaks very quietly
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- grapevineInformal gossip network
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
buzz · scuttlebutt · innuendo · chatter · murmurs · talk · word-of-mouth · scandal
Not matching reality
- unfoundedWithout factual support
- unsubstantiatedWithout supporting evidence
- debunkedExposed as fraudulent
- denialRefusal to accept reality
fabrication · hoax · myth · urban legend · conspiracy · fake news · disinformation · misleading
Unproven theorizing or risky investment
- insiderOne with confidential access
- tradingExchanging for value
- stockGoods kept for sale
- volatilityRapid, unpredictable changeability
merger · acquisition · takeover · buyout · IPO · Wall Street · investors · analysts
Oxidized and discolored
- smearSpread or defame
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- mudslingingMalicious personal attacks
character assassination · damage control · public image · tabloid · paparazzi · celebrity · infamous · notoriety
British-American rock band
- soft rockLow-durability sedimentary formation
- platinumDense precious silvery metal
- 1977Four-digit date
- breakupRomantic relationship's termination
Stevie Nicks · Lindsey Buckingham · recording · sessions · overdubs · cocaine · Sausalito · classic rock
whispers
Speaks very quietly
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- grapevineInformal gossip network
tittle-tattle · buzz · scuttlebutt · innuendo · chatter · murmurs · talk · word-of-mouth · scandal · secrets
false
Not matching reality
- unfoundedWithout factual support
- unsubstantiatedWithout supporting evidence
- debunkedExposed as fraudulent
denial · fabrication · hoax · myth · urban legend · conspiracy · fake news · disinformation · misleading · baseless
speculation
Unproven theorizing or risky investment
volatility · merger · acquisition · takeover · buyout · IPO · Wall Street · investors · analysts · tip-off
tarnished
Oxidized and discolored
- smearSpread or defame
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- slanderSpoken false defamation
mudslinging · character assassination · damage control · public image · tabloid · paparazzi · celebrity · infamous · notoriety · allegations
Fleetwood Mac
British-American rock band
- soft rockLow-durability sedimentary formation
- platinumDense precious silvery metal
- 1977Four-digit date
Stevie Nicks · Lindsey Buckingham · breakup · recording · sessions · overdubs · cocaine · Sausalito · classic rock · vinyl
- Albumsalbum, Thriller, Pet Sounds, OK Computer, The White Album
- album coversAbbey Road, Sgt Pepper, Nevermind, Dark Side of the Moon, Thriller
- Compilation AlbumsGreatest Hits
Rumoursfacts
Verifiable pieces of truth
truths · proof · evidence · certainties · hard evidence
Rumoursofficial reports
Documented statements from authorities
press releases · public records · sworn testimony · official records
- rumour millGossip production source
- rumour had itAccording to unverified talk
- rumour campaignDeliberate spreading of unverified claims