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

That the 43-year-old was attending the black tie event with stars and Washington elites in December is a sign of how drastically Milton’s fortunes had changed in 2025.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

He had started his shift early that day following rumours of the monarch's declining health, presenting rolling news coverage from 14:00, before confirming the Queen's death that evening while wearing a black tie.

From BBC • Jul. 31, 2024

The trip will also include a black tie state dinner at the Palace of Versailles and a stop in Bordeaux, home to a large British community.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 6, 2023

She arrived at the interview in a black tuxedo jacket with slim black tie worn over a bare clavicle, fresh from a taping of “Watch What Happens Live.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 30, 2023

His collar is flipped up, the top buttons open, and his black tie is draped loosely over his shoulders.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

Related Words

• tux
• tuxedo