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Synonyms

schmooze

American  
[shmooz] / ʃmuz /
Also shmooze sometimes schmoose

verb (used without object)

schmoozed, schmoozing
  1. to chat idly; gossip.


noun

  1. idle conversation; chatter.

schmooze British  
/ 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

"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

noun

  1. a trivial conversation; chat

"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

Other Word Forms

  • schmoozer noun

Etymology

Origin of schmooze

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

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.

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

From Barron's • Oct. 23, 2025

Amazon will make a presentation later on Monday in New York as part of the “upfronts,” the TV industry’s annual advertiser schmooze fest.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2025

“He was very much inclined not to schmooze so much as to explain and then expect people to understand and then act on it.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 14, 2024

With Congress on recess, both the House and Senate sent sizable delegations to the annual Munich Security Conference to schmooze with world leaders about the pressing global issues of the day.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2024

Unlike his brother, Eric Trump did not schmooze with court staff during the breaks.

From BBC • Nov. 2, 2023