schmear

American  

[shmeer] / ʃmɪər /

Also shmear, or schmeer

noun

Slang.

1. a dab, as of cream cheese, spread on a roll, bagel, or the like.

2. a number of related things, ideas, etc., resulting in a unified appearance, attitude, plan, or the like (usually used in the phrasethe whole schmear ).

3. a bribe.

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verb (used with object)

Slang.

1. to spread; smear.

   Schmear it on the bread.

2. to bribe.

schmear British  

/ ʃmɪə /

noun

1. informal a situation, matter, or affair (esp in the phrase the whole schmear )

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Etymology

Origin of schmear

First recorded in 1930–35 schmear for def. 5, and 1955–60 schmear for def. 4; apparently from Yiddish shmirn “to smear, grease”; compare Middle High German smirwen ( German schmieren ); smear

Example Sentences

Sephora gave shoppers free rein to schmear on lipstick and play with eye shadow.

From The Wall Street Journal

The bread was thin and appropriately crumbly, the pate a nice thick schmear and the jalapeño provided quite a kick.

From Seattle Times

They ferment overnight, then she boils and bakes them in the a.m. “to enjoy with Costco lox, an excessive amount of schmear and my morning coffee.”

From Seattle Times

Rob: Oh, yeah, like fold it into cream cheese for a schmear on a bagel.

From Seattle Times

“I think my Judaism is Sarah Silverman and a bagel with schmear.”

From New York Times