white tie
2
7.0
- noun
- /waɪt taɪ/
- Formal
:
corbata blanca
- Mr. Parks wore a white tie and tails to the charity gala, following the formal dress code.
- white tie and tails
- shirt and white tie
- white tie and black jacket
Examples
-
For example, while men must don a white tie when attending a wedding, a black tie with the same black suit is appropriate for a funeral.
Academic text (1999) -
And there were also white cotton socks and boot shoes, but the boys were confirmed in dark suits with white ties.
Academic text (1995) -
I'm at my best in my white tie and tails.
-
Mr. Kim in the same white suit, white shirt, white tie, and white shoes, which had never really been white, but always the color of pale urine.
Fiction book (1990) -
The Cowboys, wearing black western shirts and white ties, lean to their right against the white slat fence.
Fiction book (1990) -
In her white tie and tails, she looked like a swashbuckling Errol Flynn, starring in the new show at the club.
Fiction book (2001) -
In white tie and tails, MSO conductor John DeMain enters to loud applause.
Blog text (25) -
(sings) 'I'm putting on my top hat, tying up my white tie, brushing off my tails... '
Fiction book (1990) -
Robes, smoking jackets, top hats, and white ties; flowing white gowns if you were Ginger Rogers, up to your chin in ostrich feathers, or was it white fox?
Fiction book (1990) -
He carefully selected his white tie and tuxedo for the prestigious fundraising dinner.
Synonyms
1
8.1
A very formal evening outfit for men with a white bow tie, white waistcoat, black tailcoat, and matching trousers
1
8.0
Evening dress so formal that men wear white bow ties and tailcoats
How Formal
- Formal
1
8.1
- Formal
2
7.0
1
3.5
- Formal
12
3.7
1
3.8
81
1.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
The components 'white' and 'tie' transparently point to a white-coloured necktie, so learners will infer it relates to a tie of that colour. However, the conventionalized sense as the specific, very formal evening dress code (tailcoat and accessories) is a culturally specific extension that is unlikely to be fully derivable by a B1 learner who only knows the constituent words.
Etymology
White tie comes from the white bow tie men wore with a tailcoat at the most formal evening events. That clear white bow tie showed the highest level of dress, so today 'white tie' means 'very formal' clothing.