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

---

noun

1. a trivial conversation; chat

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

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

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.

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2025

Later in the Illinois primary, Carter also showed that he could schmooze with powerful machine bosses, namely Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2024

“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