white tie

¹ American  

noun

1. formal evening dress for men (black tie ).

2. a white bow tie for men, worn with formal evening dress.

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white-tie ² American  

[hwahyt-tahy, wahyt-] / ˈʰwaɪtˈtaɪ, ˈwaɪt- /

adjective

1. requiring that guests wear formal attire, especially that men wear white bow ties with formal evening dress.

   a white-tie embassy reception.

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white tie British  

noun

1. a white bow tie worn as part of a man's formal evening dress

2. 1. formal evening dress for men

   2. ( as modifier )

      a white-tie occasion

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Etymology

Origin of white-tie

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Speaking about the ball in 2001, Sir Elton said: "Yes, he came in white tie, and he came straight from a private jet. Yes, I don't think he'd wear white tie otherwise."

From BBC • Jul. 17, 2023

Presiding over the courtroom in the traditional black robe and white tie, he immediately threw out the case, citing a youth court statute that encourages rehabilitation rather than punishment.

From New York Times • Apr. 22, 2023

The ceremony starts at 1500 GMT and features glamorous formal wear, with the men in white tie and tails and women in flowing gowns and elegant hairdos.

From Reuters • Dec. 10, 2022

But on Monday, it was Isaac’s filmmaker wife Elvira Lind who came in tails, and Isaac wore a trompe-l’œil white tie and tailcoat dress designed by Thom Browne.

From Seattle Times • May 8, 2022

August comes out from behind the green curtain, wearing white tie.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen