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

He stands at 6ft2in, has a stocky build and grey hair and was last seen wearing a long black trench coat, grey trousers and waistcoat, blue shirt, brown shoes and a red and white tie.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2025

Before the Japan Fair this year, emcee Tomo Hoku Angie gave him a white tie and pocket square patterned with mini hearts and illustrations of pink origami cranes.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 8, 2023

While earlier music directors at the Met, all men, favored white tie and tails, Nézet-Séguin, who has held the post since 2018, has long had a more eclectic style, both in his clothes and appearance.

From New York Times • Apr. 27, 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

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

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen