portable

1 of 2

adjective

por·​ta·​ble ˈpȯr-tə-bəl 

1

a

: capable of being carried or moved about

a portable TV

b

: characterized by portability

a portable pension

c

: usable on many computers with little or no modification

portable software

2

archaic : bearable

portably

ˈpȯr-tə-blē 

adverb

portable

2 of 2

noun

: something that is portable

Synonyms

Adjective

• mobile
• movable
• moveable

Examples of portable in a Sentence

Adjective

Portable devices such as MP3 players are becoming increasingly popular.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Saving money is our whole job here in the PCMag Deals Department, and one of the best ways to do that in the portable computing world is by looking beyond Apple and Windows laptops to the Chromebook market. —K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024

For instance, what new parent wouldn't love a cube-sized portable sterilizer that easily attaches to a diaper bag, or a viral hip carrier that makes touting their little one basically effortless? —Ashley Ziegler, Parents, 5 Nov. 2024

Noun

Right now, Best Buy has a really nice discount on a portable that boasts some smart design choices and a nice big screen, perfect for working on complicated spreadsheets on the go. —K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024

Construction this summer with the demolition and relocation of old portables, new underground utilities and grading and raft foundations for the new two-story building. —Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin portabilis, from Latin portare to carry — more at fare

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1708, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

portable

adjective

por·​ta·​ble

ˈpōrt-ə-bəl,

ˈpȯrt-

: possible to carry or move about

a portable computer

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English portable "capable of being carried or moved about," from early French portable (same meaning), from Latin portabilis (same meaning), from earlier portare "to carry" — related to portfolio, transport