black-tie

1 of 2

adjective

ˈblak-ˌtī 

variants or less commonly black tie

: characterized by or requiring the wearing of semiformal evening clothes consisting of a usually black tie and tuxedo for men and a formal dress for women

a black-tie dinner

compare white-tie

black tie

2 of 2

noun

: semiformal clothing

gentlemen in black tie for the banquet

Examples of black-tie in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

While the guests up to that point had been on their best black-tie behavior, the bowties started to come off. — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026

In 2017, the two were both guests at their mutual friend’s black-tie 21st birthday party in New York City. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

Noun

Her Italian lover opted for a pinstriped vest with a white shirt and black tie. — Michael Nied, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026

Members arrived dressed in a version of church clothes — men in crisp button-downs and stringy black ties, women in long swishy cotton skirts. — Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1933, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1951, in the meaning defined above