black-tie

adjective

|Updated on: 9 Aug 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

Though surprising, the trend is actually not uncommon in the UK, where weddings may consist of a cocktail attire-appropriate church ceremony followed by a black tie reception.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Everything You Need to Know About Pippa Middleton's Wedding," 20 May 2017
For the reception, Cuoco changed into a lacy white jumpsuit while Cook continued wearing a traditional suit with a black tie.

— tyler mccarthy, Fox News, "'Big Bang Theory' star Kaley Cuoco marries Karl Cook in horse-themed ceremony," 1 July 2018
The style was a modern take on black tie that coordinated perfectly with Odessa.

— avery matera, Teen Vogue, "Jaden Smith Went to His Girlfriend’s Prom Wearing Bell Bottoms," 31 May 2018
The day was crowned with a magnificent black tie dinner at the Villa Medici, the 1544 mannerist architectural masterpiece of Annibale Lippi which has long served as the French Academy in Rome.

— hamish bowles, Vogue, "Where Hamish Bowles Partied, Shopped, and Marveled at Architecture in Rome," 22 June 2018
Gaskill showed up in court dressed mostly in black down to his black tie and shirt and Viner wore a dark suit with a blue shirt and gray tie.

— roxana hegemen, Cincinnati.com, "Local gamer pleads not guilty in 'swatting' death," 14 June 2018
She was last seen wearing her work uniform, which is a black long-sleeve dress shirt, black tie, pants and slip-on shoes.

— caroline blackmon, Detroit Free Press, "Police seek missing Southfield woman who may be in danger," 12 June 2018
The event details: a summer evening in New York City, black tie, Waldorf ballroom, maybe five or six years ago.

— lesley m.m. blume, Town & Country, "When Bill Cunningham shot you, it was like getting approval from New York itself.," 27 June 2016
Gaskill showed up in court dressed mostly in black down to his black tie and shirt and Viner wore a dark suit with a blue shirt and gray tie.

— roxana hegemen, Cincinnati.com, "Local gamer pleads not guilty in 'swatting' death," 14 June 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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