What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Hoax vs Rumor - What's the difference?

hoax | rumor |

As verbs the difference between hoax and rumor

is that hoax is to deceive (someone) by making them believe something which has been maliciously or mischievously fabricated (scam) while rumor is (transitive|usually|used in the passive voice) to tell a rumor about; to gossip.

As nouns the difference between hoax and rumor

is that hoax is anything deliberately intended to deceive or trick while rumor is (us|countable) a statement or claim of questionable accuracy, from no known reliable source, usually spread by word of mouth.

hoax

English

Verb

(es)
  • To deceive (someone) by making them believe something which has been maliciously or mischievously fabricated. (scam)

    • Derived terms

    * hoaxer * hoaxster (rare)

    Noun

    (es)
  • Anything deliberately intended to deceive or trick.

    • Synonyms

    * (deliberately false story or report) canard

    Derived terms

    * (deliberately false story or report) hoaxical, Hoaxocaust

    rumor

    English

    Alternative forms

    * rumour (UK, Commonwealth, International)

    Noun

  • (US, countable) A statement or claim of questionable accuracy, from no known reliable source, usually spread by word of mouth.
    • There's a rumor going round that he's going to get married.
  • (US, uncountable) Information or misinformation of the kind contained in such claims.
    • They say he used to be a thief, but that's just rumor .

    Synonyms

    * (piece of information) * (information) gossip, hearsay, talk, tittle-tattle

    Derived terms

    * rumor campaign * rumor has it

    Hypernyms

    * information

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (transitive, usually, used in the passive voice) To tell a rumor about; to gossip.
    • John is rumored to be next in line for a promotion.
    ----