inconvertible

American  

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

adjective

1. (of paper money) not capable of being converted into specie.

2. not interchangeable.

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inconvertible British  

/ ˌɪnkənˈvɜːtəbəl /

adjective

1. incapable of being converted or changed

2. 1. not redeemable for gold or silver specie

   2. not exchangeable for another currency

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Other Word Forms

• inconvertibility noun
• inconvertibleness noun
• inconvertibly adverb

Etymology

Origin of inconvertible

First recorded in 1640–50, inconvertible is from the Late Latin word inconvertibilis not alterable. See in- ³, convertible

Example Sentences

The previous year, Nixon unilaterally made the dollar inconvertible to gold.

From New York Times • Feb. 7, 2021

It was inconvertible and burdensome but also full of opportunity.

From New York Times • Sep. 11, 2014

Nevertheless, Norway announced last week that the new flagship of its merchant marine, the Oslofjord, is a peace ship and inconvertible to war purposes.

From Time Magazine Archive

Since the U.S. stopped selling gold for dollars last August, the banks cannot do much more than sit on their inconvertible dollars.

From Time Magazine Archive

In February, 1878, when the first purchases were made, those dollars were the inconvertible United States notes, or greenbacks, worth something less than their face in gold.

From Readings in Money and Banking Selected and Adapted by Phillips, Chester Arthur