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

Through its proprietary system, SES provides portable benefits—including healthcare, retirement plans, workers' compensation, and life insurance—directly to its members. —Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025

The hardcore gadget geek enthusiast in me — the one who at 21 spent almost his entire part-time job salary to import a niche Japanese portable media player — is disappointed, because Chinese phones have been offering new design overhauls and hardware almost every generation. —Ben Sin, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

Noun

Here's another large-screen portable at a juicy discount. —K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 17 Feb. 2025

Progresso says these drops provide familiar soup flavors in a portable, on-the-go format. —Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2025

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

Rhymes for portable

• deportable
• exportable
• reportable
• supportable
• transportable
• insupportable
• unsupportable

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