portfolio

American  

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

noun

plural

portfolios

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

With so much uncertainty in the world, “dividends make a lot of sense,” says John Davi, founder of Astoria Portfolio Advisors.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

Portfolio flows remained negative in March, with around $12.5 billion in outflows, as geopolitical uncertainty dampened global risk appetite.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Appeared in the March 31, 2026, print edition as 'Antares, Ares Recapitalize A Private-Credit Portfolio'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

“Technically, any buyer could redirect or resell their contracted volumes into other markets if the price is right. Portfolio players are certainly doing that,” said J.P.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

Portfolio No. 1.—Twelve great mathematicians down to 1700 A.D.:

From Darwin, and After Darwin, Volume 2 Post-Darwinian Questions: Heredity and Utility by Romanes, George John