white-tie

adjective

ˈ(h)wīt-ˈtī How to pronounce white-tie (audio)
variants or less commonly white tie
Synonyms of white-tienext
: characterized by or requiring the wearing of formal evening clothes consisting of white bow tie and tailcoat for men and a formal gown for women
a white-tie dinner
compare black-tie

Examples of white-tie in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The state dinner that closed the day was the first white-tie state dinner at the White House since 2007. — Penny Abeywardena, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2026 Senior royals and esteemed guests donned their white-tie finery—and their tiaras—for a night celebrating the diplomatic ties between the two countries. — Isaac Bickerstaff, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2025 His grandmother was the late Jane Dudley, who founded the Swan Ball, the annual white-tie gala. — Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 11 Aug. 2025 The dinner was organized by the Queen in return for a white-tie dinner, the first of its kind hosted by the Bush family at the White House. — Callum Sutherland, Time, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for white-tie

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of white-tie was in 1876

Browse Nearby Words

white-throated thickhead
white-tie
whitetip clover
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“White-tie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white-tie. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for white-tie

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