Definition

1. Noun:

   • A rumor; a piece of widely-circulated, often unverified or false, news. It refers to information, typically of a sensational or negative nature, that is spread among many people without confirmation of its truth.

2. Verb:

   • To rumor; to spread news widely. The act of circulating information, especially of a dubious or sensational nature, among a large number of people.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Đừng tin vào những lời đồn đại vô căn cứ. (Do not believe in baseless rumors.)
  • Tin đồn đại về công ty sắp phá sản lan truyền rất nhanh. (The rumor about the company's impending bankruptcy spread very quickly.)

• Verb:

  • Mọi người đang đồn đại về vụ việc đó. (People are rumoring about that incident.)
  • Không nên đồn đại những chuyện chưa được kiểm chứng. (One should not spread unverified stories.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a negative connotation, implying the information is exaggerated, malicious, or false. It is frequently used in contexts involving gossip, scandal, or public anxiety.

Variants and Related Words

• Đồn (v/n): to spread news; a rumor. A shorter, more common form.
  • Tin đồn (n): a rumor.
• Lời đồn (n): a rumor, a piece of hearsay.

Synonyms

• Rumor: unverified information circulated widely.
• Hearsay: information received from others that one cannot substantiate.
• Gossip: casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as true.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Đồn đại thổi phồng: to exaggerate a rumor; to blow a rumor out of proportion.
  • Sự việc nhỏ bị đồn đại thổi phồng thành vấn đề lớn. (A small matter was rumored and exaggerated into a major issue.)
• Theo lời đồn đại: according to rumor.
  • Theo lời đồn đại, ông ấy sắp từ chức. (According to rumor, he is about to resign.)

1. Circulate widely a bad piece of news, circulate widely false news
   • Đừng nên nghe những tin đồn đại
     One should not pay attention to widely-circulated false news (to false rumours)