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cabriolet

American  
[kab-ree-uh-ley] / ˌkæb ri əˈleɪ /

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 British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of cabriolet

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Prices for the 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S, in coupe and cabriolet form, are about 11% higher than the 2025 models.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

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 • Apr. 9, 2020

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 • Jan. 18, 2018

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

From Seattle Times • Sep. 5, 2017

Besides, he had glanced through the glass-door, and seen the cabriolet with its top-booted tiger.

From The Child Wife by Reid, Mayne