How to pronounce rumor
Say it like ROO-mer. Rumor has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ROO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce rumor. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ROO
- mer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Rumor pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ROOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- merKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of rumor
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: ROO-muh.
What does rumor mean?
- gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
- tell or spread rumors“It was rumored that the next president would be a woman”
Where does rumor come from?
From Middle English rumor, from Old French rumeur, from Latin rūmor (“common talk”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rewH- (“to shout, to roar”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with rumor
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of rumor.
Words that sound like rumor
Questions about saying rumor
How do you pronounce rumor?
Say ROO-mer. The American pronunciation is /ˈrumɚ/. In British English it is /ˈruːmə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in rumor?
Rumor has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ROO). Broken into parts: ROO · mer.
Is rumor pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈruːmə/ (ROO-muh).
What words sound the same as rumor?
Rumor sounds the same as rumour in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.