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
Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 20 Feb. 2026
The remark drew applause and laughter from the black-tie audience.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
Add a black tie to bring back that touch of ruggedness.
—Shelby Comroe, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for black-tie
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Adjective
Polis, who chaired the bipartisan group last year, said both Democratic governors are still barred from Saturday’s annual black-tie White House dinner, which has typically been for governors and their families.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 20 Feb. 2026
The remark drew applause and laughter from the black-tie audience.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
Tickets priced at $300 per person, black tie.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
Add a black tie to bring back that touch of ruggedness.
—Shelby Comroe, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026
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 Feb. 2026.
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