Synonyms

schmo

American

[shmoh] / ʃmoʊ /

Also schmoe sometimes shmo

noun

Slang.

plural

schmoes

a foolish, boring, or stupid person; a jerk.

schmo British

/ ʃməʊ /

noun

slang a dull, stupid, or boring person

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of schmo

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50; of obscure origin

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.

The namesake mark of the latest “The Joe Schmo Show” isn’t your “schmo” of 21 years ago.

From Salon

The not-so-shocking revelation of the original “Squid Game” was that these poor schmoes were being toyed and done away with for the entertainment of the jaded rich.

From Los Angeles Times

Unfortunately for the guru, only a schmo would fall for this Schmäh.

From Los Angeles Times

“They can go find some other schmo,” she said.

From Washington Post

“Can you believe that schmo? He says that Aaron ran off, maybe freight-hopped to St. Louis or Cincinnati.”

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023