Tuxedo
tuk-SEE-doh
/tʌkˈsiːdoʊ/
A man's formal evening suit, typically black or white, worn with a bow tie.
A tuxedo is generally considered more formal than a regular suit and is specifically for evening wear or very formal events.
The story behind the word. The 'tuxedo' gets its name from Tuxedo Park, a wealthy residential community in New York. In the late 19th century, members of the Tuxedo Club there began wearing a tailless dinner jacket instead of the traditional tailcoat for formal occasions. This new, more comfortable style quickly caught on and became known as the 'tuxedo' after its place of origin.
Word relationships
- Dinner jacket: British English term for a tuxedo.
- Formal suit: More general, a tuxedo is a specific type of formal suit.
- Casual wear: Opposite in formality.
Commonly confused with
- Suit: A suit is a broader term for matching jacket and trousers, often worn for business; a tuxedo is a specific, more formal type of evening suit.
Collocations
- black tuxedo
- white tuxedo
- rent a tuxedo
- tuxedo jacket
Example sentences
- "He looked incredibly dapper in his rented tuxedo, complete with a crisp white shirt and black bow tie." Describing formal wear for men.
- "Finding the right tuxedo for prom was almost as challenging as finding the perfect dress." Preparing for a formal event.
- "The secret agent always preferred a classic black tuxedo for his evening assignments." In a narrative setting.
Memory hook
Imagine a fancy 'TUX' (like a penguin) wearing a formal suit at a 'DO' (event). Tux at a DO
When not to use
Do not use 'tuxedo' for a standard business suit or casual wear.
Fun facts
- Before the tuxedo, the formal attire for men was typically a tailcoat, which was much more restrictive.
Related words
Also appears in
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