What does "portfolio" mean?

1. (collection of work) a collection of your best work, like drawings or photos, used to show people what you can do. 2. (financial investments) the group of different investments, like stocks or property, that a person or company owns. 3. (government role) the specific area of responsibility given to a high-level government official. 4. (product range) the full range of products or services that a company offers. 5. (carrying case) a large, flat case used for carrying papers or drawings.

portfolio

US //pɔɹtˈfoʊɫiˌoʊ// UK //pɔːtfˈəʊlɪˌəʊ// port·fo·lio

1 collection of work (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a collection of your best work, like drawings or photos, used to show people what you can do.

a curated selection of an individual's professional work, typically used in creative industries to demonstrate competence and style to potential employers.

Example

The graphic designer brought her portfolio to the interview to show her latest logo designs.

Example

Aspiring architects must assemble a diverse portfolio that showcases both their technical drafting skills and their conceptual creativity.
- samples
- credentials
2 financial investments (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Finance

the group of different investments, like stocks or property, that a person or company owns.

the total collection of financial assets and investment instruments held by an individual or institution.

Example

He decided to diversify his portfolio by buying some gold and real estate.

Example

The fund manager rebalanced the investment portfolio to reduce exposure to volatile emerging markets during the economic downturn.
- holdings
- investments

Show 3 more sensesShow fewer

3 government role (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Law

the specific area of responsibility given to a high-level government official.

the specific set of duties or the department assigned to a cabinet minister or government official.

Example

The new minister was given the education portfolio in the recent government reshuffle.

Example

After the election, the prime minister assigned the foreign affairs portfolio to one of the party's most experienced diplomats.
4 product range (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Business

the full range of products or services that a company offers.

the complete suite of products, services, or brands managed by a commercial entity.

Example

The tech company is expanding its portfolio to include smart home devices.

Example

The corporation decided to divest from its tobacco interests to focus on its growing healthcare product portfolio.
5 carrying case (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a large, flat case used for carrying papers or drawings.

a portable case designed for the transport of large, flat documents, such as maps, sketches, or architectural plans.

Example

She tucked the large sketches into her leather portfolio before heading to the meeting.

Example

The artist carried a waterproof portfolio to protect his charcoal drawings from the sudden afternoon rain.

Origin

From Italian portafoglio; cognate with French portefeuille (“folder, wallet”), from Latin portāre (“to carry”) and folium (“sheet”). The meaning "collection of responsibilities" came by extension in the 1930s.