variants or less commonly white tie
: characterized by or requiring the wearing of formal evening clothes consisting of white bow tie and tailcoat for men and a formal gown for women
a white-tie dinner
compare black-tie

Examples of white-tie in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The epic events historically stipulate a white-tie dress code, including tiaras for the female royals in attendance. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2023 This classic chignon is perfect for the most dressy of weddings—we're talking black-tie or white-tie. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 31 July 2023 In the years that followed, the Duchess of York wore the delicate head-topper for various white-tie events. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 8 June 2023 Former Vice President Mike Pence joked about Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in his remarks at the annual white-tie Gridiron Dinner in Washington over the weekend. David Oliver, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2023 The former vice president was speaking at the Gridiron dinner, a white-tie event thrown by journalists in Washington, D.C. that this year featured speeches by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy in addition to Pence. Ben Terris, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2023 Both donning Valentino looks, Peltz stunned in a flowing, off-the-shoulder fuchsia gown, while Beckham went for white-tie in an elegant, completely monochromatic ensemble. Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'white-tie.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of white-tie was in 1876

Dictionary Entries Near white-tie

Cite this Entry

“White-tie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white-tie. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.

More from Merriam-Webster on white-tie

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