portfolio

[ pawrt-foh-lee-oh, pohrt- ]

noun

, plural port·fo·li·os.

1. a flat, portable case for carrying loose papers, drawings, etc.
2. such a case for carrying documents of a government department.
3. the total holdings of the securities, commercial paper, etc., of a financial institution or private investor.
4. the office or post of a minister of state or member of a cabinet.

portfolio

/ pɔːtˈfəʊlɪəʊ /

noun

1. a flat case, esp of leather, used for carrying maps, drawings, etc
2. the contents of such a case, such as drawings, paintings, or photographs, that demonstrate recent work

   an art student's portfolio

3. such a case used for carrying ministerial or state papers
4. the responsibilities or role of the head of a government department

   the portfolio for foreign affairs

5. Minister without portfolio
   a cabinet minister who is not responsible for any government department
6. the complete investments held by an individual investor or by a financial organization

Word History and Origins

Origin of portfolio¹

1715–25; < Italian portafoglio, equivalent to porta-, stem of portare to carry (< Latin portāre ) + foglio leaf, sheet (< Latin folium; foil ² )

Word History and Origins

Origin of portfolio¹

C18: from Italian portafoglio, from portāre to carry + foglio leaf, paper, from Latin folium leaf

Example Sentences

Had he held on to it, the building would have been worth more than the rest of his vast portfolio combined.

From The Daily Beast

And they resulted in the Fed sitting on a portfolio of bonds and other assets worth more than $4 trillion.

From The Daily Beast

A portfolio of A-list celebrities means Brito has a great reputation.

From The Daily Beast

More tips poured in, and her portfolio of subjects continued to grow, reaching now nearly 50 in all.

From The Daily Beast

If she runs for president, Clinton will have several questions to answer about her stewardship of the Iraq portfolio.

From The Daily Beast

He dismissed his servants, and, with his portfolio under his arm, set forth across the Pont de la Concorde.

From Project Gutenberg

Seeley, Richmond, publisher and editor (see also “Portfolio”), xxiii.

From Project Gutenberg

During the day, a man dressed in black, and carrying a large portfolio under his arm, visited him.

From Project Gutenberg

After tea Mrs. Owen said she had letters to write and carried her portfolio to the library for the purpose.

From Project Gutenberg

The work is sent in sheets, together with a portfolio containing a complete set of India proofs of the whole of the Illustrations.

From Project Gutenberg