rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryschmoozeFriendly conversation
verb / noun

schmooze

SHMOOZ/ʃmuːz/

Friendly, casual conversation, especially to gain social or professional advantage.

He schmoozes with another guest at the professional reception.

At a professional reception, an older man engages another guest in relaxed, animated conversation beside a cocktail table.
Etymology
schmoozeYiddishto chat

Yiddish shmuesn means “to chat,” with a background in words for idle talk and news or rumors. The English sense extends intimate conversation to sociable chatting that may also serve a personal advantage.

In context

FRONTLINE PBS | Official67:55
He is not the type of person that can, you know, invite Boehner and the Republicans to dinner at the White House every night and schmooze them, like LBJ or Clinton could.
Inside the Polarization | Divided States of America Part 1 (full documentary) | FRONTLINE (PBS)

More examples

  • She enjoys a friendly schmooze after the meeting.
  • The host schmoozed with guests near the door.
  • They hoped to schmooze their way into useful introductions.

Forms

schmooze · schmoozes · schmoozed · schmoozing

schmoozer noun — a person who cultivates contacts through friendly talk

Similar words

chat
Chat is casual conversation; schmooze often adds a social or networking purpose.
network
Network develops useful contacts; schmooze does so through relaxed friendly talk.