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
: semiformal clothing
gentlemen in black tie for the banquet
Examples of black-tie in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kristina Rutkowski, Glamour, 9 Oct. 2025
Dancer, choreographer and instructor Maksim Chmerkovskiy, best known for his long run as a pro partner on Dancing With the Stars, will host the black-tie event.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2025
Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Next time you get invited to a black tie event go for a chic bodysuit styled with a dramatic maxi skirt.
—Clare Holden, Glamour, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for black-tie
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Adjective
For evening, Helsa’s open-back gown in deep noir is the winter wedding-guest dress worth investing in for all those upcoming black-tie affairs.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Glamour, 9 Oct. 2025
Dancer, choreographer and instructor Maksim Chmerkovskiy, best known for his long run as a pro partner on Dancing With the Stars, will host the black-tie event.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
Reeves paired a striped brown suit with a black tie.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Next time you get invited to a black tie event go for a chic bodysuit styled with a dramatic maxi skirt.
—Clare Holden, Glamour, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for black-tie
Cite this Entry
“Black-tie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black-tie. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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