cabriolet

[ kab-ree-uh-ley ]

noun

1. a light, two-wheeled, one-horse carriage with a folding top, capable of seating two persons.
2. an automobile resembling a coupe but with a folding top.

cabriolet

/ ˌkæbrɪəʊˈleɪ /

noun

1. a small two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage with two seats and a folding hood
2. a former name for a drophead coupé

Word History and Origins

Origin of cabriolet¹

1760–70; < French: literally, little caper; so called from its light movement. See cabriole, -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of cabriolet¹

C18: from French, literally: a little skip, from cabriole, from Latin capreolus wild goat, from caper goat; referring to the lightness of movement

Example Sentences

The 36-year-old suspect was last seen driving in his grey, Peugeot 206 Cabriolet.

From BBC

One summer day, a red Cabriolet convertible pulled up in front of our house, and a gaggle of girls descended on our home, slinging red and white crepe paper across the ceiling fan and bed, leaving notes, every "i" dotted with a heart, and shiny mylar balloons that floated around my room until they deflated to the floor.

From Salon

I waited by the window for that Cabriolet, but it never came.

From Salon

The Best of Show winner, a deep-blue 1937 Delahaye 135M Roadster Cabriolet, puttered up the horseshoe drive and past the judges’ stand to fanfare typical of a classic car expo.

From New York Times

Until then, the most stunning televised chase had happened in January 1992, a 300-mile, four-hour pursuit from the San Joaquin Valley to Orange County, during which the driver killed a good Samaritan, stole his red VW Cabriolet, and was finally shot by cops as he took aim at them.

From Los Angeles Times