portfolio

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A collection of a person's work shown to potential employers or clients.

   The designer showed her portfolio at the interview.

2. 2
   noun

   The group of investments owned by a person or organization.

   They were disappointed by the poor returns on their stock portfolio.

3. 3
   noun

   The range of products or services offered by a company.

   The firm expanded its portfolio of services last year.

4. 4
   noun

   The particular area of responsibility of a government minister.

   She was given the portfolio for foreign affairs.

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.

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