What does schmooz mean?
Schmooz means to engage in friendly conversation, particularly when doing so may help one gain information, influence, or another practical advantage. The word is informal and is especially common in North America. It often appears in social or professional settings, as when someone talks with an employer, politician, journalist, or potential business contact. Although the conversation may appear cordial, the word commonly suggests that it also serves a strategic purpose. In this sense, schmoozing is a form of conversational networking rather than simply spending time with friends. Schmooz can also describe flatteringly attentive talk intended to win someone's approval. The alternative spelling schmooze is more familiar and is frequently used as a noun, whereas schmooz is especially natural as a verb. Because the expression can imply calculated ingratiation, it may sound approving when describing effective relationship-building but faintly critical when describing excessively eager or insincere conversation.
verbTo engage in friendly conversation, especially in order to gain information, influence, or personal advantage.
- To engage in friendly conversation with someone, especially in order to gain information, influence, or an advantage.
- To flatter or ingratiate oneself with someone through prolonged, ingratiating conversation.
"She spent the reception schmoozing with potential investors."
"He was eager to schmooz with the hiring manager before the interview."
"At the festival, politicians moved through the crowd, schmoozing and exchanging contact details."
A schmooz is networking with conversation: the art of turning a social introduction into a useful connection.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does schmooz come from?
Schmooz is a variant of the more familiar spelling schmooze. The word is commonly associated with Yiddish, whose shmooz means to talk, chatter, or make conversation; its English use developed partly through the language of American comedy and entertainment.
Related word forms
How schmooz is actually used
Informal and chiefly North American. It often implies that the conversation is strategically motivated rather than purely social, and it may carry a mildly disparaging tone when applied to conspicuous networking or excessive flattering.
Easily confused with schmooz
Schmooz is usually a verb meaning to converse socially for advantage, while schmooze is its more familiar variant spelling and can also be used as a noun for such a conversation.
Schmooz means to socialize or ingratiate oneself with someone, whereas to smooze means to relax or to kiss affectionately.