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
Damien Henderson, CBS News, 12 June 2026
If the invitation encourages black-tie attire, no one will tell that this expensive-looking style only cost you well under $100.
—Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 10 June 2026
Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026
Firth wore a classic black suit with a white shirt and black tie.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for black-tie
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Adjective
Guests are encouraged to dress in black-tie attire for the historic concert experience.
—Damien Henderson, CBS News, 12 June 2026
If the invitation encourages black-tie attire, no one will tell that this expensive-looking style only cost you well under $100.
—Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 10 June 2026
Noun
Abbott opted for a black velvet jacket, white shirt, black tie and black pants.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026
Firth wore a classic black suit with a white shirt and black tie.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for black-tie
Cite this Entry
“Black-tie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black-tie. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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