Meaning & use
schmoozing
Last updated
“schmoozing” is a form of “schmooze”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitiveinformal
Chatting in a friendly way with people, often to make useful contacts or win favor.
Grammar: No object; often followed by with: schmoozing with donors.
Patterns
- schmooze with someone
- schmooze at something
She spent the evening schmoozing with potential clients.
He was schmoozing at the party instead of working.
The mayor is good at schmoozing with local business leaders.
verbtransitiveinformaldisapproving
Flattering or charming someone to get something from them.
Grammar: Takes an object: schmooze the boss.
Patterns
- schmooze someone
- schmooze someone into doing something
He was schmoozing the director to get a promotion.
She schmoozed her way into the exclusive event.
Stop schmoozing me; I know you want a favor.
Word forms
| base form | schmooze |
|---|---|
| third person singular | schmoozes |
| past tense | schmoozed |
| past participle | schmoozed |
| -ing form | schmoozing |
Common combinations
- schmoozing with clients
- He spent the conference schmoozing with clients.
- schmoozing at a party
- She is schmoozing at the party near the buffet.
- schmoozing the boss
- He got ahead by schmoozing the boss.
- schmoozing politicians
- Lobbyists spend much of their time schmoozing politicians.
- good at schmoozing
- She is good at schmoozing and always knows someone useful.
Synonyms and how they differ
- networking
- Networking is the neutral business term for building contacts, while schmoozing is more casual and can sound a bit insincere.
- mingling
- Mingling just means moving around and talking to different people, with no motive implied.
- flattering
- Flattering stresses praise that may be false, whereas schmoozing is wider, covering friendly small talk.
- chatting
- Chatting is simple casual talk without any aim to gain something.
Word family
Commonly confused: schmoozing or snoozing? schmoozing or smoothing?
schmoozing vs snoozing
Snoozing means taking a light nap, and it rhymes with schmoozing.
schmoozing vs smoothing
Smoothing means making something even, and sounds a little like schmoozing.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'schmoozing' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Schmoozing means friendly, often self-interested chatting with people. The other sentences use it with objects that cannot be charmed.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “schmoozing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.