black-tie

1 of 2

adjective

ˈblak-ˌtī

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

black tie

2 of 2

noun

: semiformal clothing

gentlemen in black tie for the banquet

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Dierks Bentley and wife Cassidy Black put their own spins on black tie at the CMAs.

Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 9 Nov. 2022 In a year packed with more weddings than usual, the boundaries of black tie are blurring — with guests in sequin, feather and leather.

John Branch, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2022 The dress code is black tie optional or masquerade-style.

Chris Richards, Washington Post, 3 Nov. 2022 Meanwhile, William wore a navy suit with a white dress shirt and a black tie.

Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 Sep. 2022 White tie is somewhat of an anomaly today, as black tie has overwhelmingly replaced it as the elevated evening-wear of choice for weddings, galas, and soirées.

Elise Taylor, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2022 Adnan Syed arrived in court Monday from the Patuxent Institution wearing a white dress shirt, black tie and dark slacks.

Alex Mann, Baltimore Sun, 20 Sep. 2022 Wearing a white shirt and black tie, Beckham bowed briefly to the coffin before moving out of Westminster Hall.

Christie D’zurillastaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2022 The Life of a Modern Monarch that at the ball, men wear black tie and kilts, and the women wear tiaras, long gowns, and tartan sashes with diamond brooches.

Emily Burack, Town & Country, 13 Aug. 2022 See More

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.