# convertible

/kənˈvɝtəbəɫ/ (US) · /kənvˈɜːtəbəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/convertible
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. able to be changed

adjective · CEFR B2

able to be changed from one form, purpose, or system to another.

For teachers: capable of being converted into a different form, state, or character.

- The guest room has a convertible sofa that turns into a comfortable bed.
- The designer focused on creating convertible spaces that could serve as either private offices or open-plan meeting areas depending on the company's daily needs.

### 2. car with a folding roof

noun · CEFR B2

a car with a roof that you can fold down or remove to drive in the open air.

For teachers: an automobile with a passenger compartment that can be converted from an enclosed to an open-air configuration via a folding or removable top.

- We rented a red convertible and drove along the coast with the top down.
- While the vintage convertible was aesthetically stunning, its manual roof mechanism proved cumbersome during sudden summer rainstorms.

### 3. finance/stocks

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a type of investment, like a bond, that can be changed into company shares later.

For teachers: a security, typically a bond or preferred stock, that can be exchanged for a specified number of shares of common stock at the holder's option.

- The company issued convertibles to raise money without immediately giving up control.
- Investors were drawn to the convertibles because they offered the safety of fixed interest with the potential upside of equity participation if the startup's valuation soared.

Usage: Often used in the plural when referring to a class of assets.

### 4. laptop/tablet hybrid

noun · CEFR B2

a computer that can work as both a laptop with a keyboard and a tablet with a touchscreen.

For teachers: a portable computer designed to function as both a laptop and a tablet, typically featuring a 360-degree hinge or a detachable keyboard.

- I bought a convertible so I could take notes with a pen during lectures.
- The latest convertible on the market features a high-resolution display and a hinge mechanism that feels sturdy even after thousands of transitions between modes.

## Examples

- This sofa is convertible into a bed.
- The company issued convertible bonds that investors could swap for shares later.
- In logic, a valid argument is not necessarily convertible, meaning the truth of the conclusion does not guarantee the truth of the premises.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.