adj
schmaltzy
Schmaltzy (adj) means Very sentimental in a way that feels exaggerated or corny.
adj
1
Very sentimental in a way that feels exaggerated or corny.
"As well as singing a lively Christmas number for the first time in a film (a good use of his country music success), Sutherland shares a schmaltzy waltz with Wilson: “It was a bit foreign for both of us but I think we had fun.”"
— Hollie Richardson, Oh yes he is! Kiefer Sutherland dives into the world of panto (2025)
"“In France, it has the reputation of being a typically American mixture of clichés and of schmaltz,” he wrote in an email. “Clichés about us don’t interest us, and the French are not very schmaltzy.”"
— Dan Bilefsky, American Expatriates in Paris Wish Emily Cooper Would Go Home (2023)
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Etymology
Formed from schmaltz and -y.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of schmaltzy?
"schmaltzy" (adj) means very sentimental in a way that feels exaggerated or corny.
What is another word for schmaltzy?
Other words for "schmaltzy" include kitschy, sappy, drippy, mawkish, sentimental, maudlin.