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

According to Meacham and Page, Reagan finally, and only after all other major candidates had dropped out of the race, intended to give a rousing speech supporting Bush at a black-tie gala on May 11th. —Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026

Paxton was the keynote speaker at CPAC’s Ronald Reagan dinner, a black-tie optional dinner hosted Friday night. —Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026

Noun

The delicate men’s silhouette has become a black tie staple in the rulebound world of formalwear, often coming in patent black leather with a bow at the front. —Jack Stanley, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2026

While the inside of the theater is a glamorous, bespoke representation of Hollywood in all its glory, the theater sits inside a shopping complex that includes retails stores like Sephora and Lids, a jarring contrast from the black tie-ness of the Oscars. —Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1933, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1951, in the meaning defined above