Rumor vs. Grapevine — What's the Difference?

Circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth.

A secret means of spreading information.

An unofficial interesting story or piece of news that might be true or invented, and quickly spreads from person to person.

An informal person-to-person means of circulating information or gossip among a large number of people.

Information often being a mixture of truth and untruth, passed around verbally.

An unofficial channel of communication, typically used to refer to the spread of rumors and unofficial information.

A rumour (British English), or rumor (American English; see spelling differences; derived from Latin: 'rumorem' - noise), is "a tall tale of explanations of events circulating from person to person and pertaining to an object, event, or issue in public concern."In the social sciences, a rumour involves a form of a statement whose veracity is not quickly or ever confirmed. In addition, some scholars have identified rumour as a subset of propaganda.

An informal network by which information is passed in a community.

A piece of unverified information of uncertain origin usually spread by word of mouth.

A vine on which grapes grow.

Unverified information received from another; hearsay.

The informal transmission of information, gossip, or rumor from person to person

To spread or tell by rumor.

The plant, a vine of genus Vitis, on which grapes grow.

A statement or claim of questionable accuracy, from no known reliable source, usually spread by word of mouth.

A rumor.

Information or misinformation of the kind contained in such claims.

An informal person-to-person means of circulating information or gossip.

To tell a rumor about; to gossip.

(skating) A move in which the feet are alternately placed in front of each other, while both remaining on the ice or ground, incorporating half-turns.

A flying or popular report; the common talk; hence, public fame; notoriety.

(wrestling) A leglock.

A current story passing from one person to another, without any known authority for its truth; - in this sense often personified.

To restrain in a leglock.

A prolonged, indistinct noise.

A vine or climbing shrub, of the genus Vitis, having small green flowers and lobed leaves, and bearing the fruit called grapes.

To report by rumor; to tell.

Gossip spread by spoken communication;

Gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth

Any of numerous woody vines of genus Vitis bearing clusters of edible berries

Tell or spread rumors;

A method of spreading information casually or unofficially.

A currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth.

Not necessarily, rumors can be based on truth but often contain unverified details.

Yes, sometimes rumors can be positive or even flattering, although they are still unverified.

Many organizations try to monitor and manage the grapevine to mitigate misinformation.

Information from the grapevine can vary in reliability since it's not officially sanctioned.

They can cause uncertainty, disrupt morale, and lead to misinformation.

Yes, it can be a source of informal communication and feedback.

A rumor is often a piece of unverified or unsubstantiated information spread by word of mouth.

The grapevine refers to an informal, often unofficial network for spreading information within a community or organization.

It's challenging, but transparent communication can influence the grapevine.

Rumors often start with a kernel of truth that gets embellished as it's passed on.

Social media can rapidly amplify the spread of rumors to a wide audience.

Yes, if it violates company policy or causes harm, it can be grounds for termination.

Counter it with facts, do not propagate it, and discourage gossip.

A leak is a deliberate release of confidential information, whereas a rumor might not be intentional or based on fact.

No, spreading false rumors about someone can lead to defamation charges.