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

“The reported fourth quarter indicated some stabilization in the business, but continued unanswered questions about the arc of the company’s recovery,” Sarah Henry, portfolio manager at Logan Capital Management, said over email.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026

We have to pick the ones we want to win and take the portfolio into those occasions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 1, 2026

It is understood the decision was rooted in efforts to simplify the group's portfolio, with the distinction between Halifax and Lloyds seen as becoming less prominent in recent years.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2026

The listing is sure to trigger buying by mutual funds and exchange traded funds based on the index, because their holdings must reflect the index’s portfolio.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

At least I got my sketches and paintings for my portfolio done.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam