schmuck
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of schmuck
First recorded in 1890–95, schmuck is from the Yiddish word shmok (vulgar) literally, “penis” (of uncertain origin)
Compare meaning
How does schmuck compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A schmuck is a loser, idiot, or jerk. This Yiddish word is a little old-fashioned and not very harsh. If you've ever felt like a dummy or sucker, you've felt like a schmuck. This is one of many Yiddish words for "jerk" or "idiot" that are common in English, including schmo, schlub, schlemiel, and schnook. Old-fashioned and kind of unusual, schmuck is probably one of the least mean ways to call someone a loser.
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.
When Williams visited the new East Village bar Schmuck, the line was out the door.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 1, 2025
“I’m really a nobody,” the newspaper quoted Schmuck as saying.
From Washington Times • Jun. 21, 2023
“Let’s not kid ourselves here. This is the right time to do it,” added company CEO Fred Schmuck.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 21, 2022
Romand Schmuck — during the investigation into whether the officers should have been charged, had said their actions were justified.
From Washington Post • Oct. 16, 2022
Present-day Europe displays German Schmuck from one end to the other, and France is no exception.
From Riviera Towns by Gibbons, Herbert Adams
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.
