portfolio

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a large, flat, thin case for carrying loose papers or drawings or maps; usually leather
  2. noun a set of pieces of creative work collected to be shown to potential customers or employers
  3. noun a list of the financial assets held by an individual or a bank or other financial institution

Etymology

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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