soft-topadj.n.
/ˈsɒf(t)tɒp/, U.S. /ˈsɔf(t)ˌtɑp/, /ˈsɑf(t)ˌtɑp/ A. adj. (attributive).
Having a soft or limp upper surface; esp. designating a motor vehicle with a roof (usually one that can be retracted or removed) made of soft material.Cf. slightly earlier soft-topped adj. at soft adj. Compounds 1a(a).
ΚΠ
1872 York Herald 12 Oct. 1/2 Soft Top French Mattresses.
1922 Motor World 27 Sept. 11/1 Especially noticeable, in addition to the soft top models, were cars showing a trend toward two-door sedans.
1977 P. Geddes Hangman xi. 98 She carried everything she owned in the soft-top suitcase.
1992 I. Banks Crow Road (1993) xvii. 434 We took Lewis and Verity's new soft-top XR3i—roof down, heater up full—out into the grey-pink dawn.
2013 Ilkeston Advertiser (Nexis) 14 Oct. Cascada with its folding fabric roof has been launched at a time when soft top convertibles are now considered to be more cool than folding hard tops.
B. n.
1. A roof of a motor vehicle that is made of soft material; esp. one can be retracted or removed.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > parts and equipment of motor vehicles > [noun] > body or bodywork > roof > specific types
soft-top1922
sunshine roof1927
sunroof1928
drophead1934
soft-top1940
hardtop1945
targa roof1976
1922 Motor World 6 Dec. 36/2 Soft tops on closed bodies predominate.
1960 Life 19 Sept. 133 (advt.) It is the most convertible of convertibles—with a soft top and a hard detachable top; soft top alone; or hard permanent top.
1996 Motoring & Leisure (CSMA) Feb. 15/1 You soon spot the move upmarket by Fiat with the Punto: bigger engines, more of them and extra body options (including a soft-top).
2. A car fitted with such a roof; a convertible with a soft top.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > motor car > [noun] > car with folding top
cabriolet1896
convertible1916
soft-top1940
ragtop1952
drophead1959
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > parts and equipment of motor vehicles > [noun] > body or bodywork > roof > specific types
soft-top1922
sunshine roof1927
sunroof1928
drophead1934
soft-top1940
hardtop1945
targa roof1976
1940 N.Y. Times 10 Mar. (Travel section) 5/1 Open and sport models, which the trade calls ‘soft tops.’
1967 Guardian 3 Oct. 5/3 The soft top now costs £1,212.
2015 Townsville (Queensland) Bull. (Nexis) 21 Feb. (Lifestyle section) 6 The breeze flowing through the car was like driving a soft-top.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.1872