How to Use black-tie in a Sentence

black-tie

1 of 2 adjective
  • The black-tie remit still left plenty of room to play.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Don’t let hot and sticky weather get in the way of a black-tie statement.
    — Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 31 May 2023
  • Have a dress that's too much for brunch but too casual for a black-tie event?
    — Amber Rambharose, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Prince Harry wore a classic black tux to the black-tie event.
    — Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 20 Jan. 2024
  • And what’s more camp than wearing a windbreaker to a black-tie event?
    — Victoria Hunt, Robb Report, 1 May 2023
  • Guests are invited to dress in black-tie attire.
    — Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2026
  • Most recently, my mom wore these heels to a black-tie wedding for eight hours.
    — Olivia Dubyak, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
  • For an airy yet dramatic vibe, perfect for a black-tie affair.
    — Caroline Griswold, Vogue, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Late last month, the pair stepped out in black-tie style for a visit to the White House.
    — Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 12 May 2023
  • That black-tie gown that still fits and was expensive enough to warrant saving for a rainy day?
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026
  • This classic chignon is perfect for the most dressy of weddings—we're talking black-tie or white-tie.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 31 July 2023
  • Those times are, after all, just as much worth dressing up for as any black-tie event or boardroom meetings.
    — Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024
  • Guests have started sharing glimpses of their wedding-day looks, which were to adhere to a black-tie dress code.
    — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
  • John Travolta ditched basic black-tie rules.
    — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
  • Think black-tie to beach and every niche theme or destination in between.
    — Madeline Fass, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2025
  • My go-to answer stems from a black-tie dinner my wife gave me for my 70 th birthday at our home.
    — Amy Dickinson, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2024
  • My go-to answer stems from a black-tie dinner my wife gave me for my 70th birthday at our home.
    — Amy Dickinson, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2024
  • All tables and seats for this black-tie gala are sold out, however, there is a waitlist for tickets.
    — Leslie Kelly, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Getting dressed for any event can be daunting but, a black-tie event can be even more stressful to find something that works.
    — Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 12 Oct. 2023
  • One wedding guest put her own unique spin on a black-tie dress code by wearing a homemade hamburger bracelet.
    — Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024
  • These events have costume themes or black-tie dress codes, so make sure to check the venue’s requirements and book a place ahead of time.
    — Emily Manthei, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2025
  • The pair stepped out at the 98th Academy Awards in black-tie looks.
    — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Her grandmother, Tina Knowles, was a guest of honor at the black-tie event.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
  • And the always dapper Jeff Goldblum topped a black-tie tux with a cropped black style.
    — Jacquelyn McGilvray, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025
  • The remark drew applause and laughter from the black-tie audience.
    — Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Perfect for black-tie events or weddings, this is the accent piece that turns any hairstyle from simple to chic.
    — Lily Wohlner, Allure, 6 Jan. 2026
  • He was dressed in shorts, T-shirt and boots and his black-tie clobber was in a car miles away in Marseilles.
    — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 25 May 2025
  • The couple, who have been married for 30 years, walked the red carpet in stunning black-tie looks.
    — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Comedian Jim Gaffigan will be the host for the black-tie event.
    — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2024
  • Remember to Slow Down Après-ski is not a black-tie affair.
    — Maddie Topliff, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026

black tie

2 of 2 noun
  • Trump donned a black tie for the event.
    — Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Reeves paired a striped brown suit with a black tie.
    — Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Great for all those dress codes that aren't black tie, but close to.
    — Brad Lanphear, Men's Health, 8 Sep. 2023
  • Guests all came dressed in black tie looks, and many of them were stars.
    — Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 17 Aug. 2023
  • Add a black tie to bring back that touch of ruggedness.
    — Shelby Comroe, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Firth wore a classic black suit with a white shirt and black tie.
    — Meg Walters, InStyle, 6 June 2026
  • For more guidance on the black tie dress code, see our guide here.
    — Vogue, 27 Mar. 2026
  • These two pieces were paired with a white button-up and a black tie.
    — Essence, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Go with an ankle or floor-length gown if the dress code is black tie.
    — Aryelle Siclait, womenshealthmag.com, 21 Apr. 2023
  • Harding paired the shirt with a black tie and added a brown belt to the skirt.
    — Julia Teti, WWD, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Your partner is right about what passes for black tie these days.
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2026
  • For those black tie events, that was like our wedding every time.
    — Janine Rubenstein, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Even the wait staff, in their red jackets and black ties, seem timeless.
    — Rico Gagliano, WSJ, 13 Feb. 2019
  • Meanwhile, William wore a navy suit with a white dress shirt and a black tie.
    — Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 Sep. 2022
  • One man dressed in black tie was even found dead after getting stuck in an air vent.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 4 June 2018
  • William, meanwhile, wore a dark navy suit and black tie with a white dress shirt and black dress shoes.
    — Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Sep. 2022
  • Black velvet shoes to wear with a black tie on the beach or on a cold winter's night?
    — Hillary Maglin, Travel + Leisure, 16 Dec. 2023
  • Brady paired the watch with a dark-colored coat, button-down shirt and a black tie.
    — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
  • This black tie event is set in the era of flappers and bootleggers.
    — Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 8 Dec. 2022
  • Her husband, next to her, wore a black mourning suit, white dress shirt, and black tie.
    — Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 14 Sep. 2022
  • Meanwhile, Koepka looked sharp in his gray suit and black tie.
    — Emy Lacroix, PEOPLE.com, 15 July 2022
  • The dress code is black tie optional and the gala will need its own tickets.
    — Bisma Parvez, Detroit Free Press, 10 Mar. 2020
  • Men were asked to attend the event in black tie, while the women wore shades of white and beige.
    — Courtney Young, Peoplemag, 24 May 2023
  • For the event, Rob wore a classic black suit with a skinny black tie.
    — Katie Bowlby, Country Living, 20 Apr. 2023
  • Festival-goers dressed in their best as the event was billed as black tie.
    — Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
  • Barnes stood with dancerly poise in a crisp white shirt, a black tie, and cushy black sneakers.
    — Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • This could mean black tie and formal, or more casual and laid back.
    — Katie Henwood, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2025
  • What is the difference between white tie and black tie?
    — Vogue, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The dark coat, white dress shirt and black tie did not seem like a coincidence.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 28 May 2025
  • The wedding was a black tie affair with a deep red, white and black color theme.
    — Charli Penn, Essence.com, 11 Dec. 2017

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'black-tie.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Last Updated: