schmooze

English

WOTD – 19 July 2008

Alternative forms

• schmoose
• schmooz
• shmooze

Etymology

Borrowed from Yiddish שמועס (shmues), from Hebrew שְׁמוּעוֹת (sh'mu'ót), plural of שְׁמוּעָה (sh'mu'á, “report, piece of news, rumor”).

Pronunciation

• enPR: shmo͞oz, IPA^(key): /ʃmuːz/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Audio (AU):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -uːz

Verb

1. To talk casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection.

   I wish he could do his job as well as he schmoozes with the boss.

   • 1996, Mark Brown, M.D., Emergency!, page xiii:

     Until about 4 A.M. there were almost no patients to be seen, and I enjoyed the chance to schmooze with my brother.

Derived terms

Derived terms

• schmooseoisie
• schmooze-athon
• schmoozefest

• schmoozer
• schmoozy

Noun

schmooze (plural schmoozes)

1. A casual conversation, especially one held in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection.