convertible
convertible — noun
- convertiblesingular
- convertiblesplural
1. a car whose roof can be lowered or detached for open-air driving.
a car whose roof can be lowered or detached for open-air driving.
Theo parked his blue convertible in the garage and raised the roof before the storm.
possessive + convertible: his blue convertible
Rohan bought a used convertible from a local dealer for twelve thousand dollars last month.
In southern California, convertibles sell well because drivers keep the roof open all year.
The old convertible in the garage needs its torn fabric roof replaced before summer.
Noa rented a white convertible for the wedding weekend and drove through the mountain roads.
文法句型
a/the convertible
convertibles (plural)
用法筆記
Do not confuse with 'cabriolet' — 'convertible' is the standard everyday term in American and British English. 'Drophead' is a vintage British synonym rarely used today.
常見錯誤
convertible — adjective
- convertiblepositive
- more convertiblecomparative
- most convertiblesuperlative
1. fitted with a roof section made of fabric or rigid panels that can be folded bac
fitted with a roof section made of fabric or rigid panels that can be folded back, unzipped, or detached so the vehicle becomes open to the air.
Priya drives a car with a convertible roof that folds down in twelve seconds.
convertible roof — the roof itself, not the whole car
Leila chose a model with a convertible hardtop for better noise on the highway.
convertible hardtop — specific type of folding roof
The mechanic said convertible tops are made from canvas to handle rain and wind.
The mechanic showed Yusuf how to clean the convertible roof's drainage channels to prevent leaks.
Every November, Mei oils the folding mechanism of her convertible roof to prevent winter damage.
- retractable
more technical; 'retractable roof' is common for hardtop convertibles
- folding
simpler but broader; 'folding roof' works for any collapsible roof, not just cars
- open-top
describes the whole vehicle experience rather than the roof mechanism
文法句型
convertible + noun (roof, top, car)
用法筆記
Distinguish from the noun sense (the vehicle itself): this adjective describes a feature of the roof or car, not the car as a whole. Common in automotive manuals and car reviews.
常見錯誤
2. capable of being altered for a different function or appearance — like a sofa th
capable of being altered for a different function or appearance — like a sofa that folds out into a bed.
The convertible sofa in the guest room changes into a comfortable double bed at night.
convertible + noun (sofa) describing changeable furniture
Aiko's convertible car seat adjusts as her child grows from baby to toddler.
convertible + noun describing a product with multiple configurations
Wen bought a convertible desk-table that opens into a dining table for parties.
The teacher rolled out convertible play mats that become nap mats for rest time.
The attic space above their garage is convertible into a small bedroom for guests.
- adaptable
broader — can describe people, systems, or objects; 'convertible' is only for physical objects that change form
- adjustable
focuses on small changes in position or size rather than a complete change of function
- transformable
more dramatic; suggests a major change in appearance, not just function
- modifiable
more technical and less common in everyday speech
文法句型
convertible + noun
be convertible
用法筆記
Frequently used before nouns describing furniture (sofa, table, seat) or spaces (room, loft, attic).
常見錯誤
3. able to be exchanged for another currency or type of investment through regular
able to be exchanged for another currency or type of investment through regular financial markets.
Ravi exchanged his dollars for yen at the airport because the yen is fully convertible.
fully convertible currency — common collocation in finance
Tourists in Tokyo prefer convertible currencies for easy exchanges at any bank.
The solar startup's convertible bonds let investors exchange them for shares at a fixed price.
Diego learned the digital tokens he bought were not convertible in São Paulo.
During the crisis, shop owners in Argentina stopped accepting foreign convertible currency for daily trade.
- exchangeable
more general; 'convertible' is specifically used in formal finance contexts
- tradable
broader — applies to stocks, goods; 'convertible' implies changing one form of value into another
- negotiable
can be transferred or sold; less specific than 'convertible'
- non-convertible
cannot be freely exchanged
- inconvertible
formal term for restricted currencies
文法句型
convertible + noun (currency, bond)
用法筆記
Almost always used before nouns (currency, bond, note). The opposite is 'inconvertible' or 'non-convertible' for currencies that cannot be freely traded.