Standard Lemma guide

schmooze

noun · verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • shmo͞oz
  • /ʃmuːz/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -uːz
  • CMU ARPABET: SH M UW1 Z Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

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

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

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

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

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

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

an informal conversation

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: chat, confab, confabulation, schmoose

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: conversation

Narrower terms: chitchat, chit-chat, chit chat, small talk, gab, gabfest, gossip, tittle-tattle, chin wag, chin-wag, chin wagging, chin-wagging, causerie

4

verb

Meaning 4

talk idly or casually and in a friendly way

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: shmooze, shmoose, schmoose, jawbone

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: chew the fat, shoot the breeze, chat, confabulate, confab, chitchat, chit-chat, chatter, chaffer, natter, gossip, jaw, claver, visit

History

Etymology

Borrowed from Yiddish שמועס (shmues), from Hebrew שְׁמוּעוֹת (sh'mu'ót), plural of שְׁמוּעָה (sh'mu'á, “report, piece of news, rumor”). Cognate with German schmusen (“to cuddle”, older “to flirt, flatter, schmooze”).

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Spanish: codearse — Translations
  • Spanish: congraciarse — Translations