black tie

¹ American  

noun

1. a black bow tie, worn with a dinner jacket.

2. semiformal evening wear for men (distinguished from white tie).

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black-tie ² American  

[blak-tahy] / ˈblækˈtaɪ /

adjective

1. requiring that guests wear semiformal attire, especially that men wear black bow ties with tuxedos or dinner jackets.

   a black-tie dance.

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black tie British  

noun

1. a black bow tie worn with a dinner jacket

2. (modifier) denoting an occasion when a dinner jacket should be worn

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Etymology

Origin of black tie¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Origin of black-tie²

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

The actor did change from the formal black ensemble he wore to the show and to the restaurant into a brown double-breasted suit with a white shirt and black tie for the Vanity Fair party.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

Think Orient Express but with more Shiraz and less black tie: The Aurora and Australis suites come with queen beds, butler service and free-flowing Champagne.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 20, 2025

At the six-minute Crown Court hearing on Tuesday, Coote, who wore a navy suit and black tie, spoke only to confirm his name and enter his guilty plea.

From BBC • Oct. 14, 2025

The name, the ubiquitous police sketch — close-cropped hair, black suit, black tie, black sunglasses — have become legend.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 18, 2023

He’s wearing his black tie and wide-brimmed hat.

From "Ghost Boys" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Related Words

• tux
• tuxedo