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Meaning of schmaltz | Babel Free

Noun CEFR B2
/ʃmɒlts/

Definitions

  1. A surname from German.
  2. Rendered chicken or goose fat.
    uncountable
  3. Excessively sentimental art or music.
    derogatory, figuratively, uncountable

Equivalents

Deutsch Schmalz

Examples

“Even now, as medical science has given a nod to the moderate consumption of saturated animal fats, and the culinary elite has fallen hard for the likes of lard, tallow and duck fat, poor schmaltz remains the babushka-clad cousin not invited to the table. This is a shame, because schmaltz is one the most versatile and flavorful fats you can use.”
“Are you moved because the disco soundscape of “Moon Crystal” reminds you of TV shows from long ago, or because those high, whining violins over funk guitar are eternally gorgeous? […] Schmaltz is schmaltz, and it can make life worth living.”
“The cost, for [George] Saunders, of moving beyond the stylized violence of his early stories seems to be the transmutation of a portion of his violence into schmaltz.”

CEFR level

B2
Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.

See also

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