black-tie

1 of 2

adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
At the black-tie evening supporting Dancers Against Cancer (DAC), Moore was awarded Live Performance Choreographer of the Year, presented by actor Skylar Astin. Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025 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
Noun
Each couple was dressed for a black tie affair, matching their respective partner eloquently. Alexa Stone updated October 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025 Kris later appears in the music video dancing and shimmying away to the song while wearing her famous bright green sequin dress with a white shirt underneath and a black tie. Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for black-tie

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1933, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of black-tie was in 1933

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Black-tie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black-tie. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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