portfolio

American  

[pawrt-foh-lee-oh, pohrt-] / pɔrtˈfoʊ liˌoʊ, poʊrt- /

noun

portfolios plural

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.

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portfolio British  

/ 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. 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

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Etymology

Origin of portfolio

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

Explanation

A portfolio is a large, flat briefcase used to hold papers and other loose materials, like maps or artwork. A portfolio is usually used to transport important documents, like examples of your graphic design work if you’re an artist. The noun portfolio has its roots in the similarly-sounding Latin portafoglio “a case for carrying loose papers.” Notice, within that word, two other words — there’s porta, meaning “carry,” and foglio, meaning “sheet, leaf.” In English, think portable folio, or papers that can be carried. Also, portfolio can refer to the duties of a government official or the collection of investments held by a financial company.

Example Sentences

The big hope: That Manifold’s track record of cutting costs and reshaping the portfolio of Dublin-based building-materials company CRH—leading to a surge in its share price—could be replicated at the British energy giant.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

“Income is an incredible ballast to a portfolio in times of stress,” said Alexandra Wilson-Elizondo, Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s co-chief investment officer and co-head of multi-asset solutions.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

David Miller, CIO and portfolio manager at Catalyst Funds, told MarketWatch that despite the “large tear” Micron’s stock has been on, it’s still trading at under 10-times forward earnings-per-share estimates.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

Banks would be able to innovate to meet liquidity requirements, whereas the current ample-reserves system locks them into dependency on the Fed and its bond portfolio.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

Abigail was his chief domestic minister without portfolio.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis