verb
schmooze
shmooz
verb
1
To chat in a friendly, informal way, often to network or gain favor.
"He spent the whole party schmoozing with potential investors."
noun
1
A casual, friendly conversation aimed at building a connection or gaining an advantage.
"After the meeting there was time for a quick schmooze over coffee."
How to Use Schmooze
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMaking friendly small talk, often with an eye toward a favor or business advantage.
When to use it
Informal; often used slightly disapprovingly, implying the friendliness is calculated.
Common pairings
schmooze with clients
schmooze investors
Word Forms
schmoozed past tense, schmoozes plural, schmoozes singular
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After the meeting there was time for a quick _____ over coffee.
Etymology
From Yiddish shmues ("talk, chat"), from Hebrew shemu'ot ("rumors, news").