noun
Common
portfolio
pawt-FOH-lee-oh
Portfolio (noun) means a flat case for carrying documents, drawings, or photographs. Example: “The architect carried the plans to the meeting in a large black portfolio.”
noun
1
A flat case for carrying documents, drawings, or photographs.
"The architect carried the plans to the meeting in a large black portfolio."
"He zipped the photographs safely into his slim portfolio before leaving."
"She tucked her sketches into a leather portfolio."
2
A collection of work samples used to showcase someone's skills, especially in creative or professional fields.
"The illustrator showed her online portfolio to the editor at the book fair."
"His design portfolio landed him three job interviews."
"Build a strong portfolio before you apply for internships."
3
The area of responsibility held by a government minister.
"The prime minister moved him to the health portfolio after the reshuffle."
"As holder of the education portfolio, she visits schools across the country each term."
"She was given the finance portfolio in the new cabinet."
4
The full set of investments held by a person or institution.
"Over the years, she has built a small portfolio of shares and savings funds."
"His investment portfolio includes stocks, bonds, and property."
"A diversified portfolio spreads out the risk."
How to use portfolio
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a case for documents, a showcase of work, an investment collection, or a minister's area of responsibility.
Common pairings
investment portfolio
build a portfolio
design portfolio
hold the finance portfolio
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Word forms
- Plural
- portfolios
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The architect carried the plans to the meeting in a large black _____.
Etymology
From Italian portafoglio ("carry-sheet"), from Latin portare ("to carry") and folium ("leaf, sheet"). The "government responsibility" sense developed later, by the 1930s.
Related words
Rhymes for portfolio
See all rhymes for portfolio →Frequently asked questions
What does “portfolio” mean?
The word “portfolio” means a flat case for carrying documents, drawings, or photographs. In plain terms, either a case for documents, a showcase of work, an investment collection, or a minister's area of responsibility.
How do you pronounce “portfolio”?
“Portfolio” is pronounced pawt-FOH-lee-oh (/poɹtˈfoʊ.liˌoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “portfolio” in a sentence?
Here is “portfolio” used in a sentence: “She tucked her sketches into a leather portfolio.”
What part of speech is “portfolio”?
“Portfolio” is a noun.
Where does the word “portfolio” come from?
The word “portfolio” dates back to around 1930 and comes from Latin. From Italian portafoglio ("carry-sheet"), from Latin portare ("to carry") and folium ("leaf, sheet"). The "government responsibility" sense developed later, by the 1930s.
Is “portfolio” a common word?
“Portfolio” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “portfolio” have?
“Portfolio” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a flat case for carrying documents, drawings, or photographs.
What is the difference between a portfolio and a résumé?
A portfolio is a curated collection of actual work samples that demonstrate someone's skills, while a résumé is a short text document listing qualifications, experience, and education. A portfolio shows what you can do, whereas a résumé summarises where you have worked.
What is the difference between a portfolio and a folder?
A portfolio in the sense of a flat case is used specifically for carrying documents, drawings, or photographs, and the word also implies a deliberately selected body of work. A folder simply holds papers without any suggestion that its contents are curated to showcase skill.
What is the plural of 'portfolio'?
The plural of 'portfolio' is 'portfolios', formed simply by adding an -s. It is not spelled 'portfolioes'.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing portfolio in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
A portfolio is judged on how its holdings behave together, which is why traders keep a journal of decisions rather than only a list of positions.
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