schmaltzy

American  

[shmahlt-see, shmawlt-] / ˈʃmɑlt si, ˈʃmɔlt- /

Sometimes shmaltzy also schmalzy

adjective

Informal.

schmaltzier, schmaltziest

1. of, relating to, or characterized by schmaltz, or exaggerated sentimentalism.

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schmaltzy British  

/ ʃmɔːltsɪ, ʃmæltsɪ /

adjective

1. excessively sentimental

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Etymology

Origin of schmaltzy

First recorded in 1930–35; schmaltz + -y ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

schmaltzy schmaltzier schmaltziest

In an interview with biographer Michael D’Antonio, Trump let slip that one of his favorite songs of all time was a schmaltzy piano ballad recorded by the late, great Peggy Lee.

From Slate ● Jun. 11, 2026

But instead of taking the seasoned actor’s approach to directing, which often translates to schmaltzy, overly macho films that couldn’t bear their heart to save their lives, Travolta opts for total sincerity.

From Salon ● Jun. 10, 2026

Mixing American history with wild fabulation, and parental grief with Buddhist spirituality, the book’s weirdness and originality helped smuggle through its schmaltzy moralizing about selflessness and empathy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 23, 2026

Music website Pitchfork - known for its sometimes-scathing takes - described the band as "schmaltzy and dull".

From BBC ● May 16, 2025

Awfully schmaltzy, I know, but it felt right to us then, because we had so much hope—and that was all we had.

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

These artists had made a mark, but they were already being shoved aside by softer, schmaltzier performers such as Frankie Avalon and Bobby Vee.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 12, 2016

Below, I emailed Jake 12 questions about schmaltz, leading to the schmaltziest conversation in my inbox to date.

From Salon ● May 17, 2021

Eager to do something about the story that had created a black hole in her heart, she hit upon what she called “the schmaltziest idea.”

From New York Times ● Mar. 19, 2011