Jalopy - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A jalopy is an old, rundown car that is often in poor condition but still running. The term is used informally to describe a vehicle that appears worn-out or unreliable.
Definition:
An old, dilapidated car in poor condition.
Synonyms:
clunker, beater, wreck, rustbucket
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
luxury car, new vehicle
Common Collocations:
old jalopy, drive a jalopy, fix the jalopy
Derivatives:
jalopies (plural)
Usage Tips:
Use "jalopy" humorously or affectionately to describe a very old or rundown car.
Common Phrases:
"That old jalopy, " "a real jalopy, " "jalopy of a car"
Etymology:
Origin uncertain; possibly from 1920s slang, perhaps influenced by Jalapa, Mexico (a source of cheap cars).
Examples:
- 1. My uncle still drives that rusty jalopy from the 1970s.
- 2. We laughed as the jalopy sputtered and stalled on the hill.
- 3. Her first car was a jalopy she bought for $200.
- 4. The mechanic refused to work on such a beat-up jalopy.