Home › Glossary › Letter B

bow tie

Apparel
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A necktie tied in a bow shape, with two symmetrical loops, worn for formal or festive occasions, often evoking a sense of whimsy, intellectualism, or old-fashioned charm.

Detailed Definition
The bow tie is a garment that carries distinct personality—it can signal the eccentric professor, the dapper musician, or the playful wedding guest. In poetry, the bow tie is often described in precise visual terms: its butterfly shape, its spot or stripe pattern, its self-tied versus pre-tied nature. The act of tying a bow tie is a ritual that requires patience and skill, making it a metaphor for careful self-presentation. In love poetry, an untied bow tie trailing from a lover's neck can be a charmingly disheveled detail. Its association with formal wear also places it in scenes of celebration and performance. In contrast, a crooked or oversized bow tie can be a sign of a character's eccentricity or social awkwardness, providing a touch of gentle humor.
Example
Example in poetry:
"I was never good at tying knots until you came along and taught me every way to tie a necktie, a bow tie, a scarf" (Hello Poetry); "In Germany, 'Machen Fliege' means 'Tie a bow-tie' and also 'Get out of my hair!'" (Douglas Scotney); "You speak with your hands and wear a bow tie, who does that? It sits badly, at a drastic angle" (Vocal.Media); "The bow tie's butterfly shape defied the gravity of the formal occasion"; "He tied his bow tie with the precision of a man who trusted no one else"; "A crooked bow tie was his only rebellion against the starched world"
Additional Notes
The bow tie is a garment with distinct personality, and poets often exploit its visual distinctiveness to signal character. It can indicate the eccentric professor, the dapper musician, or the playful wedding guest. The act of tying a bow tie is a ritual requiring patience and skill, making it a metaphor for careful self-presentation or the difficulty of achieving perfection. In love poetry, an untied bow tie trailing from a lover's neck can be a charmingly disheveled detail. Its association with formal wear places it in scenes of celebration and performance, from proms to galas. The bow tie's symmetry and butterfly shape provide a vivid visual image, and its patterns—spots, stripes, solids—can be described in precise detail. In satirical verse, the bow tie can be mocked as a pretentious accessory. Its self-tied versus pre-tied nature also invites commentary on authenticity. The bow tie is closely related to the necktie, ascot, and cravat, each with different levels of formality and poetic resonance. Students should consider how the bow tie's whimsy or formality can set a poem's tone.
Also Known As
formal neckwear butterfly cravat dress bow
Skip to main content