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noun

portfolio

/pɔːrˈtfoʊliəʊ/  ·  say it: por·TFOɅ·lee·oh

the collection of investments held by a person or institution

In Banking & Finance

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

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

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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