Grammar fix
a vicious rumour
malicious rumour
a rumour that is deliberately cruel, hurtful, or intended to damage someone's reputation.
collocationC1occasional
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Someone started a vicious rumour about her at work, and it really affected her confidence.
In my opinion, spreading a vicious rumour can seriously damage a person's reputation and mental health, so people should be more responsible with what they say.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: a vicious rumour of her.
Say: a vicious rumour about her.
'A rumour ABOUT someone', not 'of'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Maliciously defamatory... disseminated' is legalese; natives 'spread a vicious rumour'.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
a vicious rumour
- spread
- start
- about
- circulate