Definition

Noun: A formal man's evening jacket, characterized by having two long, tapering panels (tails) at the back, resembling the forked tail of a swallow. It is a key component of traditional "white tie" formal attire.

Usage

This term refers specifically to the jacket itself. It is used in contexts discussing formalwear, historical fashion, or very elegant events. * He looked impeccable in his swallow-tailed coat and white bow tie. * The butler's uniform included a traditional swallow-tailed coat. * For the gala, the dress code requires a swallow-tailed coat.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often shortened informally to "tails" (e.g., "He wore tails to the opera").
• The full, formal term "swallow-tailed coat" is sometimes used to distinguish it from other tailcoats, like the morning coat, which has a differently cut tail.

Variants and Related Words

• Tailcoat (n.): The more common general term for a coat with tails.
• Dress coat (n.): Another formal synonym.
• White tie (n.): This refers to the entire most formal evening dress code, of which the swallow-tailed coat is the central jacket component.

Synonyms

• Tailcoat
• Dress coat
• Full-dress coat

Antonyms

• Informal jacket
• Lounge suit
• Sports coat

Related Phrases

• In tails: Dressed in a swallow-tailed coat.
  • The orchestra members were all in tails.
• White tie and tails: The complete, most formal ensemble.
  • The invitation specified white tie and tails.

Noun

1. a man's full-dress jacket with two long tapering tails at the back