portfolio

/pɔːtˈfəʊliəʊ/ (bre, ipa) · /pɔːrtˈfəʊliəʊ/ (ame, ipa) · /pȯrt-ˈfō-lē-ˌō/ (ame, mw)

portfolio — noun

  • portfoliosingular
  • portfoliosplural

1. a flat folder-style case for taking papers, maps, drawings, or similar items fro

1.名詞B2
釋義

a flat folder-style case for taking papers, maps, drawings, or similar items from place to place

例句

Nina slid the poster into a black portfolio before the train ride.

collocation: put drawings in a portfolio

The architect carried site plans across town in a waterproof portfolio.

同義詞
  • folder

    a broader word that often suggests a smaller or less protective holder

  • case

    very general and not specific to flat papers or drawings

  • document case

    close in meaning, but less common and less tied to art or design work

文法句型

carry a portfolio

put drawings in a portfolio

portfolio under your arm

用法筆記

Usually refers to a flat container for large papers, especially drawings or maps. Distinguish from sense 2, where portfolio means the work itself rather than the case that holds it.

常見錯誤

The designer carried the sketches in a briefcase.
The designer carried the sketches in a portfolio.
💡a briefcase is a general work bag; a portfolio is flatter and better for large papers.

2. a group of pieces made or written by someone, kept together to show skill, style

2.名詞B2
釋義

a group of pieces made or written by someone, kept together to show skill, style, or progress

例句

Aya showed her design portfolio to three interviewers at the studio.

show a portfolio to an employer

Each student keeps a portfolio of essays from the whole year.

portfolio of + work

同義詞
  • collection

    the broadest choice, but it does not by itself suggest evaluation or display

  • body of work

    stresses everything someone has produced, not the selected set shown to others

  • file

    a general set of stored materials, with less focus on showing skill

  • dossier

    more formal and often used for records or evidence rather than creative samples

文法句型

build a portfolio

portfolio of + work

show a portfolio to + employer

用法筆記

Common with design, art, photography, writing, and student assessment. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is the collection of work, even when it is stored online rather than in a physical case.

常見錯誤

I sent my portfolio case to the art school.
I sent my portfolio to the art school.
💡in this sense, portfolio means the set of work, not only the case around it.

3. all the investments held by one person or institution, such as shares, bonds, fu

3.名詞C1
釋義

all the investments held by one person or institution, such as shares, bonds, funds, or property

例句

The bank moved part of its bond portfolio into cleaner energy funds.

bond portfolio / investment mix

Judy checks her retirement portfolio only once a month.

同義詞
  • holdings

    a financial term for the individual assets inside a portfolio

  • investments

    a broader everyday word that can refer to one asset or to the full set

  • assets

    broader still; can include property, cash, and other valuables beyond formal investments

文法句型

investment portfolio

diversify a portfolio

portfolio of shares and bonds

用法筆記

Often modified by investment, retirement, property, stock, or bond. Unlike sense 2, the items here are financial assets, not examples of skill or progress.

常見錯誤

My salary portfolio grew this year.
My investment portfolio grew this year.
💡portfolio in this sense refers to assets you hold, not to your income.

4. the government department or policy area that a minister is officially in charge

4.名詞C1
釋義

the government department or policy area that a minister is officially in charge of

例句

After the election, health became Senator Wu's cabinet portfolio.

cabinet portfolio = minister's responsibility

No one expected Minister Garcia to add trade to her cabinet portfolio that year.

add something to a portfolio

同義詞
  • brief

    especially British in politics, often used for a minister's responsibilities

  • post

    often means the job itself rather than the subject area handled in that job

  • responsibilities

    a broad everyday word with much less political flavor

文法句型

hold the health portfolio

be given a portfolio

add trade to someone's portfolio

用法筆記

Common in political reporting, especially after verbs like hold, get, lose, and add. Distinguish from sense 5, which appears mainly inside the fixed title minister without portfolio.

常見錯誤

She got the health portfolio in the museum.
She got the health portfolio in the cabinet.
💡this sense belongs to government jobs and areas of responsibility.

5. in British English, in the fixed title minister without portfolio, the word desc

5.名詞C2
釋義

in British English, in the fixed title minister without portfolio, the word describes a cabinet role for a minister who helps make government decisions but does not head a department

例句

The prime minister named Owen minister without portfolio during the crisis.

fixed phrase: minister without portfolio

For six months, Maria served as a minister without portfolio in London.

文法句型

minister without portfolio

用法筆記

Mostly limited to the fixed British political title minister without portfolio. Unlike sense 4, it describes the absence of a department rather than the department or duties themselves.

常見錯誤

He became a portfolio minister without office.
He became a minister without portfolio.
💡this is a fixed political phrase in British English.