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Definition of schmoe

schmoe

/ʃmoʊ/
schmoe
Plural:schmoes
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schmoe Lexical Profile

schmoe Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A foolish, gullible, or inept person (often used as an alternate spelling of schmo).

Example

"He felt like a complete schmoe after falling for such an obvious online scam."

2

North American An ordinary, unremarkable, or average person, especially one with no special status or expertise.

Example

"The complex tax code is nearly impossible for the average schmoe to understand without hiring an accountant."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for schmoe

• Nearby Words

schmear
schmidt
schmo
schmoe
schmooze
schmoozer
schmoozy

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in mid-20th-century American English, likely as a euphemistic alteration of the Yiddish word 'schmuck' (meaning a foolish or contemptible person) blended with 'Joe' in the rhyming expression 'Joe Schmoe'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Schmoe. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/schmoe
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