schmear
schmear Lexical Profile
schmear Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American A portion or layer of a soft food substance, especially cream cheese spread on a bagel.
"She ordered a toasted sesame bagel with a generous schmear of scallion cream cheese."
North American An entire collection, group, or set of related things; the whole affair or package (chiefly in the phrase 'the whole schmear').
"When they bought the cabin, the seller included the furniture, the boat, and the whole schmear."
North American An illicit payment, inducement, or flatteringly generous gesture intended to curry favor; a bribe.
"The contractor slipped the inspector a quiet schmear to expedite the building permit."
• verb
North American To spread or coat a surface thickly with a soft substance, especially cream cheese on bread or a bagel.
"He schmeared the warm rye toast with salted butter and honey."
North American To bribe or flatter someone in order to gain an advantage or secure a favor (informal).
"They had to schmear the maître d' just to get a table near the stage."
• Rhymes for schmear
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Yiddish shmir ('grease, smear, or bribe'), which derives from Middle High German smirwen ('to smear or anoint') and is a direct cognate of the native English word smear.