white-tie
adjective
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
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
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.
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