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
: semiformal clothing
gentlemen in black tie for the banquet
Examples of black-tie in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Diego Ramos Bechara, Variety, 4 Sep. 2024
Of course, this being a Cunard ship, there were also big band–style tunes at the Queens Room, particularly on the black-tie Gala Nights, of which there are two on week-long itineraries.
—Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2024
Kristen Tauer, WWD, 23 Sep. 2024
For dinner, black tie is not a requirement but certainly the norm.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for black-tie 
Adjective
The award will be presented at a black-tie dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, on Dec. 11.
—Diego Ramos Bechara, Variety, 4 Sep. 2024
Of course, this being a Cunard ship, there were also big band–style tunes at the Queens Room, particularly on the black-tie Gala Nights, of which there are two on week-long itineraries.
—Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2024
Noun
The marble staircase is perfect for a dramatic black tie photo opp en route to the historic grand ballroom.
—Kristen Tauer, WWD, 23 Sep. 2024
For dinner, black tie is not a requirement but certainly the norm.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for black-tie
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'black-tie.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near black-tie
Cite this Entry
“Black-tie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black-tie. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.
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