portfolio
gb/pɔɹtfˈoʊlioʊ/ us/pɔɹtfˈoʊlioʊ/
B1
English
~ 2800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Collection of work examples
A group of your best works that you show to others to display your skills.
Usage pattern:
a portfolio of [work type]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'portfolio' with 'resume'. A resume lists experience and qualifications in text form, while a portfolio contains actual examples of work.
Synonyms
collection (More general term for a group of items, not necessarily showcasing skills.)
|
showcase (Highlights the idea of displaying work to impress others.)
Antonyms
miscellany (A mixture of unrelated items, not curated to demonstrate skill.)
Collocations
art portfolio
|design portfolio
|portfolio review
|build a portfolio
Themes
business
|art
|education
|work
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- She brought her design portfolio to the job interview.
- The artist's portfolio included paintings, sketches, and digital art.
- Students must submit a portfolio of their best essays at the end of the semester.
Learner examples
- I made a portfolio of my photos.
- She showed her art portfolio to the teacher.
- He put his best work in the portfolio.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Collection of investments
All the investments that one person or company owns.
Usage pattern:
an investment portfolio of [assets]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'portfolio' with 'profile'. A profile is a description, while a portfolio in finance means actual assets owned.
Synonyms
holdings (Refers specifically to the assets owned, often in finance.)
Antonyms
debt (Debt is money owed rather than assets owned.)
Collocations
diversified portfolio
|manage a portfolio
|portfolio manager
|investment portfolio
Themes
business
|finance
Examples
- She has a diversified portfolio with stocks, bonds, and real estate.
- The company's portfolio is heavily weighted toward technology firms.
- Investors should review their portfolios regularly.
Learner examples
- My portfolio has five different stocks.
- He manages a big investment portfolio.
- We want to make our portfolio safer.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
3
Minister's area of responsibility
The job and duties given to a government minister.
Usage pattern:
hold the [specific] portfolio
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'portfolio' here means a folder or file; in politics it refers to official duties.
Synonyms
department (Refers to the administrative unit rather than the responsibility itself.)
Antonyms
private sector role (A job outside government with no official ministerial duties.)
Collocations
ministerial portfolio
|hold a portfolio
|foreign affairs portfolio
Themes
politics
|government
|law
Examples
- He was given the health portfolio in the new cabinet.
- The minister lost her portfolio after the reshuffle.
- She holds the education portfolio.
Learner examples
- He has the health portfolio in government.
- She got the education portfolio last year.
- The prime minister gave him a new portfolio.
Grammar
Dictionary form
portfolio
IPA
GB/pɔɹtfˈoʊlioʊ/
US/pɔɹtfˈoʊlioʊ/
Syllables & stress
port - fo - lio (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fo)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: portfolio
- Plural: portfolios
Word family
Forms
portfolios
noun
Expressions
art portfolio
1/ˈɑɹt pɔɹtfˈoʊlioʊ/
fixed phrase
Collection of an artist's works
A group of artworks made by an artist to show their style and skills.
Examples
- She submitted her art portfolio to the gallery for review.
- His art portfolio features both paintings and sculptures.
portfolio career
1/pɔɹtfˈoʊlioʊ kɚˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
Career with multiple roles/projects
A working life where you have several part-time jobs or projects instead of one main job.
Examples
- She enjoys her portfolio career as a writer, consultant, and lecturer.
- In today's economy, more people are choosing a portfolio career over traditional employment.
investment portfolio
1/ɪnvˈɛstmənt pɔɹtfˈoʊlioʊ/
fixed phrase
technical
Collection of owned investments
All the investments that a person or company owns.
Examples
- He reviewed his investment portfolio with his financial advisor.
- His investment portfolio includes shares in several tech companies.
- Diversifying your investment portfolio can reduce risk.
- It's important to diversify your investment portfolio to reduce risk.