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

When we last saw Elle Woods, she was driving away from her wedding in a pastel pink cabriolet, following the successful passage of anti-animal testing legislation in Congress.

From Los Angeles Times

The cabriolet looks like a Champs-Élysées cruiser, and was displayed at Pebble Beach in 2015 — where it won its class and was chosen “most elegant convertible.”

From New York Times

Yes, the G Wagen is a bit obnoxious and, no, a cabriolet version doesn’t make it any more approachable or affordable.

From The Verge

The cabriolet comes with a power-operated fabric soft top; the coupe has a panoramic glass roof.

From Seattle Times

“We expect the Model 3 range will include a variety of body styles including a four-door sedan, coupe, cabriolet, small SUV and other passenger configurations,” he said.

From Wall Street Journal