portable

1 of 2

adjective

por·​ta·​ble ˈpȯr-tə-bəl 

1

a

: capable of being carried or moved about

portable electronic devices

b

: characterized by portability

a portable pension

workers with portable skills [=skills that can be applied at other jobs]

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 of portable

Adjective

• movable
• modular
• mobile
• adjustable

Examples of portable in a Sentence

Adjective

Portable devices such as MP3 players are becoming increasingly popular.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The list has grown to include travel essentials like a portable clothes cleaner (perfect for a quick brush-up before a business meeting on the road), as well as handy storage solutions to optimize the room’s real estate. — Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026

With this technology, Rocket Lab aims to make launch operations fully portable, especially for national security and international space defense. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026

Noun

In one of the photos, Ortega appears to be instructing Abbott in turning the stroller into a portable, handheld baby carrier. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 26 July 2026

The comedy is still the thing in this frolicsome outdoor production, which takes place in the charming ambiance of the festival’s portable, mini-Elizabethan venue. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

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