Portfolio Meaning
/pɔːtˈfəʊ.liˌəʊ/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA case for carrying papers, drawings, photographs, maps and other flat documents.
nounThe collection of such documents, especially the works of an artist or photographer, or more generally, a presentation of an individual's work samples and skills (a career portfolio).
Sentence Examples
As part of my application to art school, here is my portfolio.
He is working on his art portfolio.
I left my portfolio on the train.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The financial advisor carefully reviewed the client's ____ of stocks and bonds.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The investor reviewed her ____ and decided to reduce her exposure to high-risk technology stocks.
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"He opened an embroidered portfolio; and, from its perfumed depths, took out a letter, which he began to read aloud."
— 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Introduction”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 142:
"His [Jared Kushner's] portfolio extended to foreign policy, as he brokered a new North American trade agreement and negotiated peace deals in the Middle East."
— 2025 October 29, Mohamad Bazzi, “Jared Kushner is back – and so are big questions about his financial ties”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
"Behind his [Terry Smith's] success is a simple formula: buy shares in companies that make basic necessities – from toilet paper to nappies, baby food to pet food, soap to shampoo. […] It's why his portfolio of just 20 companies includes names such as Unilever […] and Imperial Tobacco (Lambert & Butler, Gauloises, John Player Special, Rizla)."
— 2011 December 2, Patrick Collinson, “Terry Smith's investments have other fund managers on the ropes”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
"Private-equity nabobs bristle at being dubbed mere financiers.[…]Much of their pleading is public-relations bluster. Clever financial ploys are what have made billionaires of the industry’s veterans. “Operational improvement” in a portfolio company has often meant little more than promising colossal bonuses to sitting chief executives if they meet ambitious growth targets. That model is still prevalent today."
— 2013 June 22, “Engineers of a different kind”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8841, page 70:
"In the past, thoughts were too real to be kept like a cultural portfolio of stocks and bonds. But now we have mental assets."
— 1976 September, Saul Bellow, Humboldt’s Gift, New York, N.Y.: Avon Books, →ISBN, page 378:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The financial advisor carefully reviewed the client's ____ of stocks and bonds.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The investor reviewed her ____ and decided to reduce her exposure to high-risk technology stocks.