verb
schmooze
shmooz
Schmooze (verb) means to chat in a friendly, informal way, often to network or gain favor. Example: “He spent the whole party schmoozing with potential investors.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- schmoozes
- Third person singular
- schmoozes
- Past tense
- schmoozed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
After the meeting there was time for a quick _____ over coffee.
Etymology
From Yiddish shmues ("talk, chat"), from Hebrew shemu'ot ("rumors, news").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for schmooze
See all rhymes for schmooze →Frequently asked questions
What does “schmooze” mean?
The word “schmooze” means to chat in a friendly, informal way, often to network or gain favor. In plain terms, making friendly small talk, often with an eye toward a favor or business advantage.
How do you pronounce “schmooze”?
“Schmooze” is pronounced shmooz (/ʃmuːz/ in IPA).
How do you use “schmooze” in a sentence?
Here is “schmooze” used in a sentence: “After the meeting there was time for a quick schmooze over coffee.”
What part of speech is “schmooze”?
Depending on how it is used, “schmooze” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “schmooze” come from?
The word “schmooze” comes from Hebrew. From Yiddish shmues ("talk, chat"), from Hebrew shemu'ot ("rumors, news").
How many meanings does “schmooze” have?
“Schmooze” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to chat in a friendly, informal way, often to network or gain favor.
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