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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• portfolios
  plural

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

See Examples For:

portfolio portfolios

So says David Miller, chief investment officer and senior portfolio manager at Catalyst Funds.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

While the ratings agency is maintaining its “A-” financial strength and credit ratings of Delaware Life, it reduced its outlook to “negative” because of possible higher credit risk following changes to the insurer’s portfolio.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

"As part of a worldwide portfolio assessment, we have made the commercial decision to transition to an all cornstarch-based baby powder portfolio," J&J said at the time.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

This July, they announced that they will be liquidating the company’s $140 million portfolio.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

I’m a few months short of a high school degree, but I have a portfolio of landscapes now, both virtual and painted, and I’m going to make a business out of painting wealthy people’s houses.

From "Landscape with Invisible Hand" by M.T. Anderson

Wireless providers need balanced portfolios in order to serve customer needs effectively.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 25, 2026

They are required to disclose revenue-generating assets and investments, including bank accounts of over $5,000, stock portfolios, money market accounts, retirement funds and rental properties.

From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2026

Short-only funds like hers had been falling out of vogue, with investors instead preferring long-short funds or the fast-growing multi-managers that run sprawling portfolios and tightly manage risk.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026

ABB is riding a wave of demand for products used in data centers and has turned to dealmaking to expand its electrification and automation portfolios.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

“Of course I’m sure. Your flyer stood out from the class. And of all the portfolios I asked students to submit on the first day of class, yours was the most impressive!”

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan