jalopy

American  

[juh-lop-ee] / dʒəˈlɒp i /

noun

Informal.

plural

jalopies

1. an old, decrepit, or unpretentious automobile.

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jalopy British  

/ dʒəˈlɒpɪ /

noun

1. informal a dilapidated old car

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Etymology

Origin of jalopy

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

But they’ll get there—in the same way a young car-shopper starts with a beat-up old jalopy, he argued, eventually they’ll walk onto the lot in middle age looking for a pricey new Cadillac.

From Slate • May 25, 2025

After all, the whole reason I drive a jalopy manufactured during George W. Bush’s presidency is to have an easier time paying for food.

From Salon • Nov. 4, 2023

Sometimes the old jalopy needs a complete overhaul, not just another oil change.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 17, 2023

In 1976, Demento picked out “Belvedere Cruising,” a song Yankovic wrote about his family’s jalopy of a car, and played it on the air.

From New York Times • Apr. 9, 2020

He calls me Princess, which really is maybe too much polish for the jalopy, but he means it in the right way, I think.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver