tie-dye

American  

[tahy-dahy] / ˈtaɪˌdaɪ /

verb (used with object)

tie-dyed, tie-dyeing

1. to dye (fabric) by tie-dyeing.

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noun

1. tie-dyeing.

2. Informal. a fabric or garment dyed by tie-dyeing.

Etymology

Origin of tie-dye

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Osaka walked on to court wearing an ocean blue tie-dye tracksuit jacket with white wide-leg bottoms - both adorned with ruffles.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026

They visit artisans at work making tie-dye cloth in nearby Arimatsu, a village that has been perfecting the art of dyeing fabrics in intricate patterns for 400 years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 2025

Douthard, a DJ who wore a brightly colored tie-dye T-shirt, said he received federal food aid and was concerned about the delay in funding.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2025

But it was the full-length album version — taking up the entire second side of the LP in all of its messy glory — that became a signature song of the tie-dye era.

From New York Times • May 31, 2024

Pop Pop’s idea of his good suit is his 1972, mauve-colored, bell-bottom ensemble with a tie-dye, butterfly-collar shirt.

From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles