A ball is a formal dance. Attendees wear evening attire, which is specified on the invitation as black tie or white tie (the most formal). Social dance forms a large part of the evening; actual ballroom dancing may or may not occur.

Strictly speaking, a party may only be called a ball if it is a charity event. Otherwise, no matter how grand or formal the gathering, it is a dance or a dinner-dance.

Types of ball

• cotillion
• masquerade ball
• May ball

See also

• Cinderella