schmooze

Also shmooze
Sometimes schmoose

[shmooz]

verb (used without object)

schmoozed, schmoozing 

1. to chat idly; gossip.

noun

1. idle conversation; chatter.

schmooze

/ ʃmuːz /

verb

1. (intr) to chat or gossip

2. (tr) to chat to (someone) for the purposes of self-promotion or to gain some advantage

noun

1. a trivial conversation; chat

Other Word Forms

• schmoozer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of schmooze¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; from Yiddish, verb use of schmues, from Hebrew shəmūʿōth “reports, gossip”

Word History and Origins

Origin of schmooze¹

Yiddish, from schmues a chat, from Hebrew shemuoth reports

Example Sentences

After 4 p.m., they have ample time to clean up their books, meet with co-workers, schmooze with clients, and grab some sleep.

Read more on Barron's

Think of John Prescott's booming tones that connected with some voters and party members who didn't much like Tony Blair's silken schmooze.

Read more on BBC

“She came out to schmooze with the customers, and I went, “This is the one,’” said Siegel, who hails from what he billed “the Jewish Alps” — the Catskill Mountains in New York.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This time last year all Labour's schmoozing was paying off, and she enjoyed good reviews in the City.

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But these members-only circles are more than expensive schmoozing — they're a business model, a status symbol and a growing part of the luxury market.

Read more on Salon