Schmaltz: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this when referring to rendered chicken or goose fat, commonly used in Jewish cuisine. It can also refer to overly sentimental or emotional content in a negative way.

• Grandma always adds schmaltz to her matzo ball soup.
• The movie was full of schmaltz, making it almost unwatchable.

This is a general term for the oily substance found in animals and plants. It can be used in cooking or in a biological/health context.

• The recipe calls for trimming the fat from the steak.
• He's trying to reduce body fat through exercise.

Used to describe a thick, oily substance often used for lubrication or found in cooking, especially when referring to leftover oils from cooking meat.

• Make sure to grease the pan before pouring in the batter.
• There's a lot of grease on the stove after frying bacon.

This term specifically refers to rendered pork fat, commonly used in baking and frying. It's also used in some traditional cuisines.

• She uses lard instead of butter to make flaky pie crusts.
• The old recipe calls for cooking the beans in lard.

Used to describe exaggerated sentimentalism, often in an insincere or over-the-top manner. It carries a slightly negative connotation when referring to something that feels overly emotional or cheesy.

• The movie was filled with unnecessary schmaltz, making it hard to take the story seriously.
• She decorated her house with so much schmaltz that it felt like a Christmas store.

Refers to the quality of being overly sentimental, often evoking tender emotions. It can be neutral or slightly negative depending on the context and intensity of the emotion portrayed.

• There was a touch of sentimentality in his speech that moved the audience.
• The novel's sentimentality was appealing to readers who enjoy emotional stories.

Describes an excessive, sickening sentimentality that is often perceived as insincere or cloying. It is used in a negative sense.

• The play's mawkishness made it difficult to sit through without feeling embarrassed.
• Her writing was criticized for its mawkishness, as it felt overly sentimental and forced.

Refers to something that is overly sentimental or cheesy, and often perceived as lacking depth or sophistication. It has a negative connotation.

• The comedian's jokes were filled with corniness, making the audience groan instead of laugh.
• His attempt at a romantic gesture was so full of corniness that it made her cringe.