white-tie

adjective

ˈ(h)wīt-ˈtī 

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

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

While the royal family's website doesn't specify any etiquette around state banquets, the glittering dinners are famously formal with extensive preparations, a white-tie dress code, tiara wear and speeches. —Janine Henni, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024

The white-tie gathering sees members of the royal family welcome hundreds of diplomats to the royal residence in London. —Erin Hill, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024

The annual white-tie event is known not only for raising money for various Catholic charities, but for being an opportunity for presidential candidates to get their comedy on. —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024

Harris will skip the white-tie Al Smith charity dinner in Manhattan on Oct. 17, a traditional stop for presidential candidates, to campaign in a battleground state. —Mike Allen, Axios, 22 Sep. 2024

If the court blocks the volunteers from using the Swan Ball name, the volunteer group has told multiple outlets, the group will simply organize a white-tie gala under a different name. —Adam Tamburin, Axios, 4 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above