To hobnob means to spend time socializing with someone, especially someone important or famous. When you hobnob with someone, you're hanging out and chatting in a friendly, casual way, often at parties or social gatherings.

The word usually suggests mixing with people who have higher status or influence. A young entrepreneur might hobnob with successful business leaders at a conference, hoping to learn from their experience and make connections. A reporter might hobnob with politicians at a formal dinner, chatting and gathering information.

There's sometimes a hint that the person doing the hobnobbing is trying to gain something from these connections, like getting ahead in their career or seeming more important. If someone says your neighbor is always hobnobbing with the wealthy families in town, they might mean she's trying hard to be part of that social circle.

Today it means friendly socializing, usually with people who have some kind of influence or social standing.