schmuck
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of schmuck
First recorded in 1890–95, schmuck is from the Yiddish word shmok (vulgar) literally, “penis” (of uncertain origin)
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Explanation
A schmuck is a loser, idiot, or jerk. This Yiddish word is a little old-fashioned and not very harsh. If you've ever felt like a dummy or sucker, you've felt like a schmuck. This is one of many Yiddish words for "jerk" or "idiot" that are common in English, including schmo, schlub, schlemiel, and schnook. Old-fashioned and kind of unusual, schmuck is probably one of the least mean ways to call someone a loser.
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.
There are some great frozen cocktails on bar menus, like the mango-cilantro margarita & cream at Schmuck and Long Island Bar’s frozen cosmo.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026
The first person known to apply was a player named Reinhard Schmuck, who played in nine games in one season at Division III’s Baruch College.
From Washington Times • Jun. 21, 2023
“Let’s not kid ourselves here. This is the right time to do it,” added company CEO Fred Schmuck.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 21, 2022
Officer Schmuck was 132 feet tall and completely bald, bald like the missile in a ballistic missile silo.
From Washington Post • Mar. 9, 2020
Certainly, Highly Exalted," said Schmuck humbly, "it is a wonder-beautiful myth, full of true idealism.
From Fighting For Peace by Van Dyke, Henry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
