How to pronounce rumour
Say it like ROO-mer. Rumour 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 rumour. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ROO
- mer
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Rumour 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 rumour
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: ROO-muh.
What does rumour mean?
- UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Ireland spelling of rumor.
- Commonwealth standard spelling of rumor.
Where does rumour come from?
From Middle English rumor, from Old French rumor, rumor, from Latin rūmor (“common talk”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *rewH- (“to shout, roar”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with rumour
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of rumour.
Words that sound like rumour
Questions about saying rumour
How do you pronounce rumour?
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 rumour?
Rumour has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ROO). Broken into parts: ROO · mer.
Is rumour 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 rumour?
Rumour sounds the same as rumor in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.