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.communication
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.IELTS speaking

Pattern: a vicious rumour (about + noun / that + clause)

Wronga vicious rumour of her.

Righta vicious rumour about her.

'A rumour ABOUT someone', not 'of'.

Patterna vicious rumour (about + noun / that + clause)

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff A maliciously defamatory rumour was disseminated about her.

Natural Someone spread a vicious rumour about her.

'Maliciously defamatory... disseminated' is legalese; natives 'spread a vicious rumour'.

Words that usually travel with it.

Unlike 'a false rumour' (which only means untrue), 'a vicious rumour' emphasizes the cruel or harmful intent behind spreading it.