Ball (dance)

A ball is a formal dance. The word 'ball' derives from the Latin 'ballare' meaning 'to 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.