white-tie
adjective
variants
or less commonly white tie
: 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
The shot showed the royal couple all dressed up in their white-tie finery, including a triumphant tiara return for Princess Kate, standing outside in a picturesque setting.
—
Janine Henni, People.com, 10 July 2025
After six decades of benefitting Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, one of Nashville's most prestigious white-tie events and Cheekwood officially separated in 2024 after ongoing legal battles.
—Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Compared to white-tie events like the Nobel Prize ceremony or a state banquet, Cannes’ black-tie requirement is relatively flexible.
—Elizabeth Castaldo Lundén, The Conversation, 22 May 2025
The courtship spilled into public view in October, at the Al Smith dinner, an annual white-tie fund-raiser for Catholic charities.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
The King and Queen looked regal in their white-tie finery and blue Order of the Garter sashes then, with the Queen topping her look with the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
According to The Court Jeweller, no queen consort has worn a tiara during an official visit to France since 2000, as white-tie dress codes for incoming state visits were phased out around then.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
The traditional white-tie dinner and dance, held Dec. 28, remains one of the most prestigious stages for the young scions of worldwide cultural and political leaders.
—Kristen Tauer, WWD, 30 Dec. 2024
The Swan Ball, Nashville's grandest white-tie gala, returned for its 62nd year on Saturday, June 1, with a garden party theme at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens.
—Larawn Scaife Rhea, The Tennessean, 2 June 2024
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.
Janine Henni, People.com, 10 July 2025
After six decades of benefitting Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, one of Nashville's most prestigious white-tie events and Cheekwood officially separated in 2024 after ongoing legal battles.
—Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Compared to white-tie events like the Nobel Prize ceremony or a state banquet, Cannes’ black-tie requirement is relatively flexible.
—Elizabeth Castaldo Lundén, The Conversation, 22 May 2025
The courtship spilled into public view in October, at the Al Smith dinner, an annual white-tie fund-raiser for Catholic charities.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
The King and Queen looked regal in their white-tie finery and blue Order of the Garter sashes then, with the Queen topping her look with the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
According to The Court Jeweller, no queen consort has worn a tiara during an official visit to France since 2000, as white-tie dress codes for incoming state visits were phased out around then.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
The traditional white-tie dinner and dance, held Dec. 28, remains one of the most prestigious stages for the young scions of worldwide cultural and political leaders.
—Kristen Tauer, WWD, 30 Dec. 2024
The Swan Ball, Nashville's grandest white-tie gala, returned for its 62nd year on Saturday, June 1, with a garden party theme at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens.
—Larawn Scaife Rhea, The Tennessean, 2 June 2024
Cite this Entry
“White-tie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white-tie. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share