portfolio
the collection of investments held by a person or institution
In more detail
1. (noun) a collection of pieces of work, such as artwork, writing, or photographs, that shows a person's skills and achievements
2. (noun) a flat container used for carrying papers, documents, or artwork
3. (noun) the stocks, bonds, and other investments owned by a person or organization
Examples
- 1. The designer showed her portfolio to the potential client.
- 2. He carried his drawings in a leather portfolio.
- 3. The investment company manages a diverse portfolio for its clients.
How to use portfolio
Portfolio is used across three distinct contexts: professional/creative work samples (most common in modern usage), a container for carrying documents (older, less frequent), and financial investments. In professional contexts, it emphasizes a curated selection demonstrating competence; in finance, it refers to the complete range of assets held. The term is neutral and widely applicable across creative, business, and financial domains.
Common phrases
- build a portfolio
- portfolio of investments
- investment portfolio
- diverse portfolio
- manage a portfolio
- showcase one's portfolio
Synonyms
collection · body of work · compilation · holdings · assets
Word family
portfolio (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 'portfolio' with 'résumé': a portfolio shows actual work samples, while a résumé is a written summary of qualifications and experience.
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