schmooze
Americanverb (used without object)
noun
verb
-
(intr) to chat or gossip
-
(tr) to chat to (someone) for the purposes of self-promotion or to gain some advantage
noun
Other Word Forms
- schmoozer noun
Etymology
Origin of schmooze
An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; from Yiddish, verb use of schmues, from Hebrew shəmūʿōth “reports, gossip”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The relaxed nature of the show gives honorees room to roam with their speeches and also offers current Oscar contenders a chance to schmooze with voters.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 17, 2025
After 4 p.m., they have ample time to clean up their books, meet with co-workers, schmooze with clients, and grab some sleep.
From Barron's • Oct. 23, 2025
“He was very much inclined not to schmooze so much as to explain and then expect people to understand and then act on it.”
From Seattle Times • Mar. 14, 2024
With Congress on recess, both the House and Senate sent sizable delegations to the annual Munich Security Conference to schmooze with world leaders about the pressing global issues of the day.
From Slate • Feb. 21, 2024
Unlike his brother, Eric Trump did not schmooze with court staff during the breaks.
From BBC • Nov. 2, 2023
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
