What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dossier
Example
The detective reviewed the suspect's dossier to gather more information. [dossier: noun]
Example
The company keeps a dossier on each employee's performance and achievements. [dossier: noun]
portfolio
Example
The artist presented her portfolio to the gallery owner to showcase her work. [portfolio: noun]
Example
I have a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds to minimize risk. [portfolio: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Portfolio is more commonly used than dossier in everyday language. Portfolio is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dossier is less common and often used in specific professional or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dossier and portfolio?
Dossier is more formal and often used in professional or academic contexts, while portfolio can be used in both formal and informal contexts.