tie-dye

[ tahy-dahy ]

verb (used with object)

, tie-dyed, tie-dye·ing.

1. to dye (fabric) by tie-dyeing.

noun

1. tie-dyeing.
2. Informal. a fabric or garment dyed by tie-dyeing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tie-dye¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

A few minutes before 7 p.m., a lean 29-year-old with shoulder-length dirty blond hair, a backward turquoise ball cap and a pink tie-dye shirt cuts the music and speaks into a microphone.

From Los Angeles Times

A few minutes before 7 p.m., a lean 29-year-old with shoulder-length dirty blond hair, a backward turquoise ball cap and a pink tie-dye shirt, cuts the music and speaks into a microphone.

From Los Angeles Times

The Celtics nodded to Walton’s Deadheadedness by coming out in black shooting shirts that said “Walton” with a tie-dye background; team staff wore pins with a similar design.

From Seattle Times

But it was the full-length album version — taking up the entire second side of the LP in all of its messy glory — that became a signature song of the tie-dye era.

From New York Times

Ceballos wears a tangle of walrus beads over his tie-dye Grateful Dead T-shirt.

From Los Angeles Times