portable

[pawr-tuh-buhl, pohr-]

adjective

1. capable of being transported or conveyed.

   a portable stage.

2. easily carried or conveyed by hand.

   I found a lightweight, portable propane stove for our trekking holiday.

3. Computers.,  (of data sets, software, etc.) capable of being used on different computer systems.

4. Obsolete.,  endurable.

noun

1. something that is easily carried by hand, especially as distinguished from a counterpart that is harder or less convenient to move.

   Of their three television sets, one is a portable.

portable

/ ˈpɔːtəbəl /

adjective

1. able to be carried or moved easily, esp by hand

2. (of software, files, etc) able to be transferred from one type of computer system to another

3. archaic,  able to be endured; bearable

noun

1. an article designed to be readily carried by hand, such as a television, typewriter, etc

Other Word Forms

• portably adverb
• nonportable adjective
• unportable adjective
• portability noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of portable¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Late Latin portābilis; port ⁵, -able

Word History and Origins

Origin of portable¹

C14: from Late Latin portābilis, from Latin portāre to carry

Example Sentences

On a kayaking trip in Belize, a tour leader discovered that she couldn’t light her portable cooking stove.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Oliver continues to watch cartoons on a portable screen, oblivious to the potential importance of what's just happened.

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In the summer, I have a portable air-conditioning unit but so far I haven’t had to use it.

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My writing and consulting work was portable, and there was something right about the idea of my husband and me creating a new life together.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Some talked of using filthy portable toilets with no soap to wash their hands.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compact 
• convenient 
• handy 
• lightweight