convertible

American  

[kuhn-vur-tuh-buhl] / kənˈvɜr tə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of being converted.

2. having a folding top, as an automobile or pleasure boat.

3. exchangeable for something of equal value.

   debts payable only in convertible currencies.

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noun

• convertibles
  plural

1. an automobile or a boat with a folding top.

2. a sofa, couch, or chair whose seating section can be folded out into a bed.

3. Finance. a convertible bond or security.

convertible British  

/ kənˈvɜːtəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being converted

2. (of a car) having a folding or removable roof

3. finance

   1. a bond or debenture that can be converted to ordinary or preference shares on a fixed date at a fixed price

   2. (of a paper currency) exchangeable on demand for precious metal to an equivalent value

   3. able to be converted into a longer term mortgage without financial penalty

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noun

1. a car with a folding or removable roof

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• convertibility
  noun
• convertibleness
  noun
• nonconvertibility
  noun
• nonconvertibleness
  noun
• unconvertibility
  noun
• unconvertibleness
  noun
• nonconvertible
  adjective
• unconvertible
  adjective
• convertibly
  adverb
• nonconvertibly
  adverb
• unconvertibly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• convertibles
  plural

Etymology

Origin of convertible

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Medieval Latin word convertibilis. See convert ¹, -ible

Explanation

If it starts to rain while you’re riding in a convertible car with the top down, you can always put the top back up. Convertible is an adjective that means “capable of changing from one form to another.” Something that is convertible can be changed or transformed from one thing to another. Money, for instance, is convertible because it can be changed from one currency to another — for example, from dollars to euros. A sofa bed is convertible because it can be transformed from a sofa into a bed. Likewise, a convertible jacket is a jacket that can be changed (by removing the sleeves or an inner lining) depending on the weather.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

convertible convertibles

But only so they could replace it with a more modern, sporty two-seater convertible, a Mazda MX-5.

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

McPeake thinks about a quarter of the company’s debt will become convertible after the offering.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026

Nvidia’s investment in MediaTek’s convertible bonds is less a traditional partnership and more a strategic effort to help develop AI chips that work seamlessly with Nvidia’s computing platforms, Counterpoint says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

Issuers sold nearly than $90 billion in convertible bonds in the second quarter, the strongest on record.

From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026

To her relief, Lucky’s red convertible was parked beside the house when Fidencio brought them home.

From "Lupita Mañana" by Patricia Beatty

“What benefits convertible bond issuers: high stock prices, tight credit spreads, and well-supported stock volatility. We have all three of those things right now,” said Michael Youngworth, head of global convertibles strategy at BofA Securities.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 17, 2026

SUVs certainly have the kind of celebrity endorsement convertibles used to enjoy.

From BBC ● Jun. 14, 2026

Mandatory convertible preferred stock “is effectively yield-enhanced common stock,” says Michael Youngworth, head of global convertibles research at BofA Securities.

From Barron's ● Jun. 9, 2026

A high delta means the convertibles track the stock closely.

From Barron's ● Jun. 2, 2026

Eyewitnesses later filled in what I could not see: parents’ cameras flashing, floodlights making a second day as the gorgeous couples disembark from limos and borrowed convertibles and promenade to the festive courts.

From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli

Related Words

• adaptable