schmooze

1 of 2

verb

variants or shmooze
schmoozed or shmoozed; schmoozing or shmoozing

intransitive verb

: to converse informally : chat
also : to chat in a friendly and persuasive manner especially so as to gain favor, business, or connections

transitive verb

: to engage in schmoozing with
she schmoozed her professors
schmoozer noun

schmooze

2 of 2

noun

1
: a gathering or time devoted to schmoozing
2
: casual talk that is often gossipy or ingratiating

Did you know?

Schmooze (also spelled shmooze) comes from Yiddish schmues, meaning "talk," which itself is from Hebrew shěmu’ōth, "news" or "rumor." Although originally used to indicate simply talking in an informal and warm manner, the word now commonly suggests discussion for the purposes of gaining something.

Examples of schmooze in a Sentence

Verb People will have time to schmooze during the cocktail hour. spent every spare minute of the conference schmoozing with the industry's power players Noun had to master the art of the schmooze if she wanted to get ahead in the business
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The series features at least one major cameo per episode from a star playing an exaggerated version of themselves, whom Andy typically tries to schmooze with to improve his standing in the industry. Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 27 Sep. 2024 The always delicious O’Hara, who shines the brightest here, sparkles as Delia tries to schmooze her way into the VIP lounge of the afterlife. Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2024
Noun
We are even spared the immediate aftermath: the coffin being lowered into the earth, the child alone in a corner while well wishers three heads taller schmooze and nosh, the widower donating sweaters to Goodwill. Eliza Berman, TIME, 11 Oct. 2024 This is a great day to schmooze with friends and groups. Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for schmooze 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'schmooze.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Yiddish shmuesn, from schmues talk, from Hebrew shĕmu'ōth news, rumor

First Known Use

Verb

1888, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of schmooze was in 1888

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near schmooze

Cite this Entry

“Schmooze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schmooze. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

schmooze

verb
variants or shmooze
ˈshmüz
schmoozed or shmoozed; schmoozing or shmoozing
: to converse informally : chat
also : to chat in a friendly and persuasive manner especially so as to gain favor, business, or connections
schmoozer
ˈshmü-zər
noun
Etymology

Verb

Yiddish shmuesn "to chat," from Hebrew shĕmu'ōth "news, rumor"

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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