tuxedo

noun

tux·​e·​do ˌtək-ˈsē-(ˌ)dō 

plural tuxedos or tuxedoes

1

: a semiformal evening suit for men

2

: a men's single-breasted or double-breasted usually black or blackish-blue jacket

tuxedoed

ˌtək-ˈsē-(ˌ)dōd 

adjective

Examples of tuxedo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If tequila shows up at your door in a tuxedo, mezcal might arrive in a motorcycle jacket. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 25 Nov. 2024

Théo waited for her in front of the Sky series canvas in a Lanvin tuxedo, Tanner Fletcher shirt, and heeled Saint Laurent dress shoes. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2024

What New Negro outdid Gladys Bentley, the lesbian blues singer of the Harlem Renaissance, in her tilted top hat, cane, and tuxedo, all shockingly white? —Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2024

Harris was dressed like James Bond, tuxedo and all, and Jennings was following close behind when Harris hit the ground. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Tuxedo Park, New York

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

tuxedo

noun

tux·​e·​do ˌtək-ˈsēd-ō 

plural tuxedos or tuxedoes

: a suit for men to be worn on special occasions

Etymology

named for Tuxedo Park, a resort in New York State, where the jacket first became popular

Word Origin

Tuxedo can be traced back to the name of a village in southeastern New York. In the 1880s, an area called Tuxedo Park, near the village of Tuxedo, became a popular vacation community. It was here, around the turn of the century, that young men began wearing a new kind of dress jacket. The new style was soon called tuxedo.