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

The company said it grew its bitcoin holdings by 11% to 846,000 bitcoin and reduced its convertible debt by 18% to $6.7 billion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

They also weigh how easily foreigners can trade in a market, how freely money can move and how convertible the currency is.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026

After a late lunch with his wife in West Hollywood, Miguel Angel Aguilar got in his white convertible 1959 Chevrolet Impala and headed home to Bel-Air.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2026

Strategy’s decision in May to use its cash reserve to repurchase $1.5 billion in zero-coupon convertible senior notes due in 2029 proved costly.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026

I quickly spotted Tio leaning against his convertible, talking to a soldier.

From "The Red Umbrella" by Christina Gonzalez

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

From BBC ● Jun. 14, 2026

The delta on the convertibles is estimated at around 70%, according to Bloomberg, meaning holders of the preferred will see a 70-cent increase for a $1 increase in the common stock.

From Barron's ● Jun. 9, 2026

Mandatory convertibles often carry dividend yields of 4% or more.

From Barron's ● Jun. 1, 2026

Twenty years ago, Chrysler’s sprawling lineup included midsize and large sedans, an SUV, the quirky PT Cruiser wagon, a sports car and multiple convertibles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 4, 2026

Others went by in convertibles, off to play tennis or ride horses or sail.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

Related Words

• adaptable