Definition

Noun: A sports car is a small, low automobile with a high-powered engine, designed primarily for high performance and dynamic driving. It typically has two seats, though some models may have small rear seats. The design emphasizes speed, acceleration, handling, and an engaging driving experience over practicality or passenger capacity.

Usage

The term "sports car" is used to classify a specific type of performance-oriented automobile. It is a countable noun. - You can own, drive, buy, or sell a sports car. - It is often contrasted with other vehicle types like sedans, SUVs, or family cars.

Examples

• He saved for years to buy his dream sports car.
• The winding coastal road is perfect for driving a sports car.
• That sports car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds.
• While practical for a family, a minivan is not a sports car.

Advanced Usage

• As a concept or category: The term can be used more abstractly to discuss the automotive segment or its characteristics.
  • The essence of sports car design is balancing power with agility.
• In compound adjectives: It can modify other nouns to describe attributes related to this car type.
  • He has a sports-car mentality, always seeking thrills.

Variants and Related Words

• Roadster: A type of open-top, two-seat sports car.
• Coupe: A car style with a fixed roof and two doors, which often describes the body style of many sports cars.
• GT (Grand Tourer): A performance car designed for high-speed, long-distance travel, often larger and more comfortable than a traditional sports car.
• Supercar / Hypercar: Extremely high-performance sports cars with top-tier engineering, power, and price, exceeding the capabilities of typical sports cars.

Synonyms

• Performance car
• Two-seater (describes the seating capacity, not necessarily the performance)
• Roadster (specifically for an open-top model)

Antonyms

• Family car
• Minivan
• Economy car
• Utility vehicle (SUV/Truck)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "All show and no go": A criticism sometimes leveled at cars that look like a sports car but lack the powerful performance. (This idiom is not exclusive to cars but can be applied).
  • That car looks fast, but it's all show and no go.
• "Sunday driver": Someone who drives slowly and cautiously, typically not in the spirit of a sports car. (This phrase describes a driver, not the car itself).

Noun

1. a small low car with a high-powered engine; usually seats two persons