black-tie

adjective

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Definition of 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

See black-tie defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of black-tie

1933

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

black tie

noun

Definition of black tie

: semiformal clothing

gentlemen in black tie for the banquet

Recent Examples of black tie from the Web

One man dressed in black tie was even found dead after getting stuck in an air vent.

— stephanie nolasco, Fox News, "Studio 54 documentary exposes salacious history of drug-fueled nightclub," 4 June 2018
And again, in made-to-measure black tie by über-luxe Italian label Brunello Cucinelli, grinning while photobombing White House officials Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Kellyanne Conway on the red carpet at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

— rachel dodes, Vanities, "Michael Avenatti Is “Very Flattered” That You Think He’s a Style Icon," 17 May 2018
The two Swedish royals are acting as both tour guides and hosts, showing their British counterparts around the Stockholm streets, ushering them to and from appointments, dining by their side at a black tie gala, and hosting a private tea.

— elise taylor, Vogue, "The Deeper Meaning Behind Sweden’s Princess Victoria Hosting Prince William and Kate Middleton," 31 Jan. 2018
The bathrooms contain a sink, toilet, shower and, in my case, a pink-and-black tie-dye bra hanging from the towel rack.

— ellen mccarthy, ajc, "Top bunk for $30 a day: Life inside one of Airbnb's modern boarding houses," 8 May 2018
There were the bigwigs gussied up in black tie, the fine china decorated in gold, the long red carpet, the thoughtful toasts.

— david zurawik, baltimoresun.com, "Melania Trump gets good reviews from some of same media outlets her husband calls lying and hateful," 25 Apr. 2018
Strangely enough, however, the Egyptian was joined at the black tie event by his club captain Jordan Henderson.

— SI.com, "REVEALED: Why Jordan Henderson Joined Player of the Year Mohamed Salah at PFA Awards," 24 Apr. 2018
Arriving in a hall adorned with soft white florals and greenery on a trellis, the guests, in black tie attire, passed by reporters and television cameras on their way to the main event.

— betsy klein, CNN, "Tim Cook, Rupert Murdoch headline Trump's 1st state dinner guest list," 24 Apr. 2018
The Queen's banquet at Buckingham Palace this evening had a dress code of black tie and traditional dress, which means the jewelry, especially the tiaras, did not disappoint.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "The Tiaras Were Out in Full Force at Queen Elizabeth's Banquet This Evening," 19 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'black tie.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of black tie

1951

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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First Known Use of black tie

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black tie

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