What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rattletrap
Example
The rattletrap truck barely made it up the hill. [rattletrap: noun]
Example
The old car was so rattletrap that it shook the whole way there. [rattletrap: adjective]
jalopy
Example
He drove his jalopy to work every day. [jalopy: noun]
Example
The jalopy car sputtered and coughed as it struggled up the hill. [jalopy: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Jalopy is more commonly used than rattletrap in everyday language. Jalopy is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while rattletrap is less common and may be considered more informal or colloquial.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rattletrap and jalopy?
Neither rattletrap nor jalopy are particularly formal words, but jalopy may be slightly more formal due to its wider usage and acceptance in different contexts.
