Word of the Day
: January 21, 2026schmooze
playWhat It Means
To schmooze is to warmly chat with someone often in order to gain favor, business, or connections.
// The event provides an opportunity for local business owners to network and schmooze.
schmooze in Context
"After wrapping up her speech filled with anecdotes and policy promises, the candidate schmoozed with the crowd, seemingly determined to shake every hand before her staff ushered her back to the bus." — Mike Kropf, The News Virginian (Waynesboro, Virginia), 4 Sept. 2025
Did You Know?
Schmooze (also spelled shmooze) schlepped into English from the Yiddish schmues, meaning "talk," which itself is from the Hebrew shěmu’ōth, meaning "news" or "rumor." Although originally used to indicate simply talking in an informal and warm manner, the word now commonly suggests conversation for the purpose of gaining favor, business, or connections. Schmooze is one of a number of English schm- words originating from Yiddish; other classics include schmaltz (referring to rendered animal fat or excessively sentimental music or art), schmuck (a slang word for "jerk"), schmutz ("a filthy or soiling substance"), and schmear ("a layer of cream cheese").
Test Your Vocabulary with M-W Quizzes
Quiz
Unscramble the letters to create a Yiddish-derived word meaning "to chat": TIIKBZ.
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