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
Compared to white-tie events like the Nobel Prize ceremony or a state banquet, Cannes’ black-tie requirement is relatively flexible.
—
Elizabeth Castaldo Lundén, The Conversation, 22 May 2025
The courtship spilled into public view in October, at the Al Smith dinner, an annual white-tie fund-raiser for Catholic charities.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
The King and Queen looked regal in their white-tie finery and blue Order of the Garter sashes then, with the Queen topping her look with the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
According to The Court Jeweller, no queen consort has worn a tiara during an official visit to France since 2000, as white-tie dress codes for incoming state visits were phased out around then.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
The traditional white-tie dinner and dance, held Dec. 28, remains one of the most prestigious stages for the young scions of worldwide cultural and political leaders.
—Kristen Tauer, WWD, 30 Dec. 2024
The Swan Ball, Nashville's grandest white-tie gala, returned for its 62nd year on Saturday, June 1, with a garden party theme at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens.
—Larawn Scaife Rhea, The Tennessean, 2 June 2024
While the royal family's website doesn't specify any etiquette around state banquets, the glittering dinners are famously formal with extensive preparations, a white-tie dress code, tiara wear and speeches.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024
The white-tie gathering sees members of the royal family welcome hundreds of diplomats to the royal residence in London.
—Erin Hill, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
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Elizabeth Castaldo Lundén, The Conversation, 22 May 2025
The courtship spilled into public view in October, at the Al Smith dinner, an annual white-tie fund-raiser for Catholic charities.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
The King and Queen looked regal in their white-tie finery and blue Order of the Garter sashes then, with the Queen topping her look with the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
According to The Court Jeweller, no queen consort has worn a tiara during an official visit to France since 2000, as white-tie dress codes for incoming state visits were phased out around then.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
The traditional white-tie dinner and dance, held Dec. 28, remains one of the most prestigious stages for the young scions of worldwide cultural and political leaders.
—Kristen Tauer, WWD, 30 Dec. 2024
The Swan Ball, Nashville's grandest white-tie gala, returned for its 62nd year on Saturday, June 1, with a garden party theme at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens.
—Larawn Scaife Rhea, The Tennessean, 2 June 2024
While the royal family's website doesn't specify any etiquette around state banquets, the glittering dinners are famously formal with extensive preparations, a white-tie dress code, tiara wear and speeches.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024
The white-tie gathering sees members of the royal family welcome hundreds of diplomats to the royal residence in London.
—Erin Hill, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“White-tie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white-tie. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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